Manchester United v AFC Bournemouth PL match programme, 15.12.25

MANCHESTER UNITED 25/26 HOME JERSEY

RUBEN AMORIM

Good evening and welcome back to Old Trafford. Last Monday night, I was pleased with our second-half performance at Molineux.

We showed good pace and quality on the ball and controlled the game well in general.

Everyone can see that the Premier League table is very tight and we already know how important it is to build momentum at this stage of the season. Tonight is another opportunity to show that we are ready to fight for our objectives as we welcome Andoni Iraola and Bournemouth to Old Trafford.

We will, of course, see many of you at Villa Park at the weekend but tonight will be our final game at Old Trafford before Christmas. I want to take the opportunity to wish you

“WE ALREADY KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BUILD MOMENTUM AT THIS STAGE OF THE SEASON”

and your families a very happy and peaceful festive period. Your passion is incredible, you have always been there for us in every moment, and we all really appreciate your support.

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

OLD TRAFFORD: 8pm

Boosted by last Monday night’s win in the West Midlands, the Reds return to M16 tonight intent on reversing a recent trend against the Cherries and claiming another three points

There are two very good reasons – or even six –why motivation around Old Trafford will be sharpened to a fine point for this evening’s visit of Bournemouth.

It will hardly be forgotten that the Cherries walked away from their last couple of outings on our turf with a pair of victories, both by 3-0 scorelines. Those unwelcome memories – both from December, coincidentally, in 2024 and 2023 –should provide all the fire that is needed in the bellies of players and supporters alike tonight.

Andoni Iraola brings his team north in somewhat sketchy form, however, with Bournemouth on a sequence of

six Premier League matches without a victory. While last weekend they held Chelsea 0-0 on the south coast and they gleaned a point from a 2-2 draw at home to West Ham in November, the other four matches during that run of results were defeats at Manchester City, Aston Villa and Sunderland, and to Everton at the Vitality Stadium.

During that mini-slump – two points out of a possible 18 – Iraola has watched his team slip to 13th position in the table, after an extremely bright start to 2025/26 that had seen the Cherries soar as high as second position after nine matches.

No-one of a Red persuasion will be fool enough to think that tonight’s visitors have become a poor

side, however, or that their Spaniard in the dugout does not have plenty of managerial acumen. It will be up to Ruben Amorim and his men to make the most of our better momentum coming into this encounter and begin on the front foot – especially after the performance against Wolves this time last week, and a second half bristling with attacking threat. Our last two home games have been disappointing, with defeat to Everton being followed by a draw with West Ham, but our most recent win at Molineux showed once again what is possible when this team clicks. And, as always, United fans will arrive tonight full of hope and looking to play our part. Let’s go, Reds!

Without a win at Old Trafford since the visit of Brighton at the end of October, Amorim’s Reds will be rallying round for three points tonight in an effort to boost our league standing

3

Bruno Fernandes is the current team’s most frequent goalscorer against Bournemouth, with a trio of strikes to his name. Bruno notched both goals in a 2-2 away draw in April 2024, having also netted in the July 2020 5-2 Old Trafford win, during football’s fan-free period during the Covid pandemic. Casemiro might have an eye on the goal today, as well: the Brazilian

28,100

Days between our first-ever competitive fixture with Bournemouth and this, which will be our 25th. That first match was under Matt Busby’s management on 8 January 1949, in the third round of the FA Cup (more detail on which can be found on p32). Here’s the programme cover from that match –not that you’d know from looking at it. Unlike tonight’s edition of United Review there’s no mention of the opposition on the front cover!

3/8

Going into this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures, there were just three points separating eight sides in the table, from Chelsea in fifth to Newcastle in 12th. Let’s see how the table looks by the end of this match, following all of the weekend’s results.

UNITED v BOURNEMOUTH IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

UNITED WINS 56% (9)

BOURNEMOUTH WINS 25% (4)

3.1

That’s the number of shots on target that Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has averaged in the Premier League this season. His tally is the most of any player with 2,000 minutes or more this term, and serves notice of one of the Cherries’ biggest threats. Semenyo has also scored in each of his last two games against United.

Always close to the action, Semenyo tracks Casemiro during last summer’s friendly in the States

The skipper has faced the Cherries seven times with the Reds, registering three goals across those fixtures

In case you missed it… United Review recaps the latest unmissable news from inside Old

seagulls up in CUP

Ruben Amorim’s Reds will play Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round of the 2025/26 Emirates FA Cup. We’ll be seeking a record-equalling 14th triumph in the world’s most famous cup competition, but face a testing start against Premier League opponents that have won three of their last four games at Old Trafford. The good news? We beat the Seagulls 4-2 here back in October, and we’ve never lost to the south-coast club in this competition, across six ties dating back to 1909. This upcoming game will take place around the weekend of 10/11 January, with full details to be made available soon.

Trafford

DE LIGT’s DELIGHT!

Defender takes our POTM prize

Matthijs de Ligt was the deserving winner of our most recent Player of the Month award, after a series of unshakeable performances in November. It’s Matthijs’s first such award since he joined the club in the summer of 2024, and follows the welcome news of his return to the Netherlands international squad earlier in the year. The imposing centre-back scored his first goal of the season during November, via a memorable last-gasp header at Spurs, and was pivotal to all of our defensive efforts across the month. De Ligt edged out Bruno Fernandes (second) and Amad (third) to take top spot in our fan poll, and is the first defender to seize our Player of the Month prize since Noussair Mazraoui triumphed exactly 12 months ago, in November 2024. Congratulations, Matthijs.

AMAD SCREAMER TOPS POLL

Our Goal of the Month prize, meanwhile, was taken by Amad’s stunning volley ttingham Forest. The Ivorian salvaged a point for us at the City Ground when he struck nine minutes before time, with a strike that will surely be in the reckoning for Goal of the Season come May. Amad’s moment of magic took 42 per cent of the fan vote which took place to determine the result, just ahead of Joshua Zirkzee’s improbable left-footed finish at Crystal Palace (35 per cent). Mason Mount’s low free-kick in that Palace game finished third (10 per cent). Amad is the fourth different winner of this prize so far this season, following Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Harry Maguire. Well done to our no.16!

An impressive November from our Dutch defender saw him scoop his first monthly club prize with the Reds

NIGHT WITH LEGENDS

All United fans are invited to an evening with three bona fide Red legends in January, as Old Trafford hosts Andy Cole, Denis Irwin and Alex Stepney. It all takes place on Friday 16 January, the night before the much-anticipated Manchester derby at Old Trafford. For £85, you can enjoy a three-course meal, a complimentary drink upon arrival and a fascinating Q&A with our three European Cup/ Champions League winners. There are also opportunities to purchase tickets that include photos with the United heroes and a 15-minute champagne reception with them. Scan the code here for full ticket information, or to purchase.

MUW’S LOSS TO LYON

United Women suffered a 3-0 defeat to eight-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winners Lyon on Wednesday night, in the teams’ matchday-five UWCL league-phase game in Leigh. An early goal from Tabitha Chawinga opened the scoring for the visitors just 12 minutes in, before a late brace from the impressive Melchie Dumornay sealed the three points for the French champions. Marc Skinner’s Reds are at least guaranteed a place in the play-off round, however, while a matchday-six win away to Juventus this coming Wednesday – United’s final league-phase outing – could yet secure the Reds a direct route into the last eight of the competition when it resumes in spring.

YOUTH CUP PROGRESS

United’s U18s are into the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, following a 1-0 victory over Peterborough at Old Trafford on Tuesday. JJ Gabriel scored the only goal after 22 minutes, with a smart side-footed finish from the edge of the box. Darren Fletcher’s team will now face Derby at home in the next round, as we look to make it a record-extending 12 FA Youth Cup triumphs. The U18s were in action again on Saturday, when they travelled to Stoke. Head to the club app or ManUtd.com for a report and match highlights.

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The Reds line up in Leigh ahead of kick-off

previOus fixT ure...

A high-scoring win at Molineux was enjoyed by Amorim’s Reds

seven nights ago

Tonight, Manchester United will be hoping that this Monday evening ends just like the last one did, with three Premier League points. Ruben Amorim’s men were full value for the maximum return at Molineux, overcoming a struggling Wolves side with a commanding performance that saw us muster up 27 shots by the final whistle – our highest tally in a top-flight fixture since the boss took charge last November. United were fluid, free-flowing and front-footed from the early stages in

the Midlands, and our attacking intent was first rewarded with captain Bruno Fernandes’s opener in the 22nd minute.

The skipper did well to bundle the ball home, despite slipping shortly after receiving possession from Matheus Cunha, who was facing his old club for the first time since his summer transfer.

Cunha’s former team had to withstand plenty of pressure in the opening 45 minutes, but stayed in the fight and, against the run of play, got level on the stroke of half-time. Jean-Ricner

Mbeumo slots home his seventh goal of the season to restore our lead shortly after the break

“We were just attacking with freedom. I thought some of the combinations going forward were crisp, were sharp – and that’s what we can do”

– MASON MOUNT

Bellegarde’s stoppage-time finish was a kick in the teeth for our dominant Reds, but it would only prove a blot on the copybook after Amorim’s men went through the gears after the break.

It took just six second-half minutes for our lead to be restored, when Diogo Dalot concluded an impressive off-the-ball sprint from his own half by receiving possession and playing in Bryan Mbeumo, who couldn’t miss when being tasked with shooting into an empty net.

Our third goal of the evening, just over 10 minutes later, was also put on a plate for its scorer. This time it was Mason Mount wheeling away in celebration after placing the ball into the net, having coolly volleyed

WOLVES 1

BELLEGARDE 45+2

MANCHESTER UNITED 4

FERNANDES 25, 82 (PEN), MBEUMO 51, MOUNT 62

08 DEC 2025 | 8PM | MOLINEUX | ATT: 30,338

United XI: Lammens; Mazraoui (Martinez 69), Heaven (Yoro 69), Shaw; Amad, Casemiro (Mainoo 78), Fernandes, Dalot (Dorgu 84); Mbeumo, Mount (Zirkzee 85); Cunha

Unused subs: Bayindir, Malacia, Ugarte, Lacey

Booked: Mbeumo, Zirkzee

home Fernandes’s pinpoint cross beyond the Wolves backline.

Bruno was at the heart of everything good that United were doing going forward and, for his efforts, was soon to be rewarded with a chance to double his scoring tally for the evening. It was the captain’s corner that Amad volleyed onto the arm of Yerson Mosquera, resulting in a late penalty for United, after a review recommended by the Video Assistant Referee. Once the kick was awarded, Fernandes made no mistake from the spot, squeezing his low effort to the right of United Academy graduate Sam Johnstone in the Wolves goal, to complete the scoring.

The skipper celebrates after scoring from the spot to register a well-deserved brace

Mount’s tireless work is rewarded just after the hour mark as our no.7 volleys home Fernandes’s pinpoint delivery

Cunha proves a handful as he drives United forward against his former club

LOVE To See IT!

United are improving, but how and why? Here are a few things we’ve noticed in recent weeks…

C omfortable win

Last week’s thumping win at Wolves was not flawless, by any means, and Ruben Amorim seemed particularly irritated by the equaliser conceded on the stroke of half-time when he spoke post-match. And can we take any serious learnings from a victory against opponents enduring a historically bad campaign? Maybe not. But if you can’t enjoy watching United score four on the road, then what’s the point? This was our biggest Premier League win for more than a year – since the 4-0 victory over Everton last December – and some of the football played by the forwards was simply joyful. Now, as ever, the question is: what comes next? We’ve had some great successes already this season – Chelsea, Liverpool and Crystal Palace, in particular – but four of our seven victories have been followed by draws or defeats. Start stitching these wins together, however, and there’s a real opportunity to climb the table quickly.

M ount peaking

United fans voted Fernandes Man of the Match after Wolves, but Mason Mount was arguably the Reds’ standout performer. He memorably

latched onto Bruno’s sublime ball over the Wolves backline to make it 3-1, but it was the general confidence and glorious smoothness he showed on the ball that really delighted. Some of Mason’s passes were crisp enough to make the Christmas dinner table, and he played with real authority, particularly in the second half. Mount’s injury problems during recent years have been well documented, and his absences have possibly caused some critics to forget that he’s a Champions League winner and a wonderfully gifted, technical talent. Let’s hope his three goals so far this season are just the start.

H elps us

One of the intriguing footnotes at Wolves was Ayden Heaven’s confident performance. The youngster (left) had started our previous game, against West Ham, but was substituted

Four goals at Wolves last week, along with some great link-up play, provides more encouragement that the Reds are returning to their best

at half-time after picking up an early yellow card. But Ruben Amorim reasserted his faith in the 19-year-old in the Midlands, and the Londoner showed great composure during his 68 minutes on the pitch. With Matthijs de Ligt missing the last couple of games and Lisandro Martinez still working his way back, Heaven has a chance to show what he’s made of. “Ayden has a great future,” said Ruben. “He’s really hard to beat.

Replicating last Monday night’s result this evening would provide more pre-Christmas cheer

He adapts really well in the centre. Of course, he needs more rhythm to play 90 minutes. Sometimes he plays man v man in that position and I think he did really well. I really enjoyed to see him with the ball and that was a very good part in this game.” Keep it up, kid.

R ising Reds?

After last season’s dispiriting 15th-placed finish, the overwhelming majority of United fans are realistic about what to expect in 2025/26. ‘Progress’ is the big buzzword, but how best to measure that slippery concept? Well, how about Premier League points? At the same stage of last season, we had 19 – six fewer than our current tally. Or what about goals? Last term we averaged 1.16 per game and finished with a total of 44 across our 38 league fixtures. In 2025/26, we’re already up to 26 and averaging 1.73. There have been other good signs, of course – that first win at Anfield in nine years chief among them – but our points tally and goals scored suggest steady progress. More patience is going to be needed, but the forward momentum is there.

Player F ocus

DIOGO

DALOT

What’s the story? While Bruno, Mbeumo and Mount delivered the star turns at Wolves, the Portuguese defender has quietly had an influential few weeks, further underlining his status as one of United’s most durable performers.

How so? Against West Ham, he scored his first goal of the season, while at Wolves he burst forward down United’s left to good effect on several occasions – eventually providing the assist for Mbeumo’s crucial second. At Crystal Palace, too, he was pivotal, winning the free-kick that led to Mason Mount’s winner.

Next steps? With Amad and Mbeumo leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations, United’s wide options are going to be tested in the coming weeks. Whether on the left or right, Dalot has been doing a solid, positive job – and we’re going to need that more than ever over Christmas and New Year.

A composed finished from Mount at Molineux capped a fine all-round performance from our talented no.7

FEEli Ng FeSTIVE

It’s a busy time of year to be a footballer (or a fan!) but players from our men’s and women’s teams brought a sparkle to the season recently by stepping in front of the camera to promote our latest festive range...

The photoshoot for the official United Store contained plenty of gift ideas for fans young and old – all with a heavy Reds theme, of course!

Swapping jerseys for jumpers! No Christmas photoshoot would be complete without a decorated tree, tinsel and gift-wrapped presents – with defender Matthijs de Ligt and skipper Bruno Fernandes getting into the festive spirit nice and early in this seasonal snap

“Feliz Natal, Diogo!” Our Portuguese defender Dalot is all smiles in front of the camera, taking a peek at what’s in this gift bag. Let’s hope he’s smiling just as much after tonight’s last home game before Christmas.

Kobbie Mainoo shows good bauble control, as he takes his place in the festive shoot – this time promoting the third kit, which would make a great present for any loved one

Gabby George, who is clearly enjoying wearing a festive sweater showing the United Trinity statue, is joined by a few ‘extras’ to promote the new range. “Mince pie, anyone?”

Leah Galton has a guess at what might be wrapped up in this Christmas present... “Is it a book?”

Two more players take their place in another familiar festive scene, one that will be replicated all across the world on 25 December. Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu and Matheus Cunha happily show off replica shirts old and new for the camera

Two members of Marc Skinner’s women’s squad – Kayla Rendell and Simi

– get into the spirit of things on their photoshoot to promote Christmas gift ideas

Pulling together: Bruno and Matthijs are hoping for a cracker of an ending to the year –ideally starting tonight with a win against Bournemouth

Fred the Red clearly heard there was a party going on and didn’t want to miss out! But is that a goal celebration he’s doing or his latest dance move?

to open this present, and your loved ones will be too in 10 days’ time.

• Scan here for more festive gift ideas at United Store...

Awujo

Joshua Zirkzee is keen

UR interview :

I’m LEARNING EVERY DAY, EVERY game

Leny Yoro only recently turned 20, yet he’s already approaching 50 appearances for the Reds – and he’s confident he’s at the right club, and in the right league, to keep progressing…

We know it’s a team game Leny, but how did it make you feel when you were named on the shortlist for an award like the Golden Boy earlier this season?

se, this is something you need to be happy with. It’s not something I’m really looking at all the time but it’s good for me to be on this list.

A number of your France Under-21 team-mates are starting to break through t their clubs – players like Desire Doue, Warren Zaire-Emery, Senny Mayulu…

Yeah, it’s the PSG players! [laughs] They’re really good. I’m happy they can get on the list. They can do the best for PSG. So I’m really happy for them also.

It was Doue who picked up the award – is he a deserving winner, would you say, for his exploits?

Yeah, of course, I know him really well. We grew up together in France, in the international team, so I’m really happy for him, for what he is doing now, and I think he deserves it, yes.

We know it’s not just PSG, the depth of talent you have in France is extraordinary. Why do you think there are so many good players coming through? I don’t know, I can’t explain this. Honestly, the French talent is crazy. Even when you see the Under-18s or the Under-19s, [there are] a lot of talents, and I think it comes from, I don’t know, when you play in the streets with your friends and things like this. We do a lot of this in France and football is really the main sport – everyone loves football. I think it helps a lot.

I think we’re always tempted to label these teams a ‘Golden Generation’. It happens a lot in football but, in France, it feels like it’s been that way for a long time. Do you think France are one of the favourites for the World Cup next summer?

Of course, France is a really good team with a lot of talent. You can see from the past, we’ve already won a couple of titles. I hope they’re going to win the World Cup next year. I know they can do it.

How much of an ambition is it for you to win that first senior cap for France?

Of course, this is the dream for me. The big dream

LENY YORO L Y interview

L“It’s good for me to play at this level. The Premier League is a tough league, so you need to be ready in every game, to face the best players in the worlD

”

for me and for every French player, I think. If you can reach it, this is something you can’t explain, honestly. This is the dream of every child in France. So if you can do it, that’s pretty crazy.

Going back to the Golden Boy, the only defender ever to win it is a team-mate of yours now: Matthijs de Ligt. How well do you think he’s been playing this season?

Yeah, he’s been amazing this season. A really top central defender. I really like to play with him. Yeah, he won the Golden Boy in the past, he was really good also when he was young. He’s a top defender.

I think it’s just the beginning for him at Manchester United. I know he can be a legend for this club, someone who is going to do his best for the team.

You’ve only just turned 20 but is the fact there are so many teenagers doing well in the Premier League encouraging? Not just at United, but there are a lot of teenagers playing first-team football and getting chances…

I think in football today you have a lot more teenagers playing in the first teams, a lot of them are top and doing really well. They are not scared to play, not scared to show what they can do. I think in football the future is good, also having these teenagers much younger coming onto the pitch. It’s good for football.

How grateful are you to Lille for giving you the chance to play at such a young age in Ligue 1?

I started really young in Lille. I am always going to be grateful for what they did for me, you know, to help me reach the professional level today, because I started really young there. They never had any doubts at any moments. So, yeah, Lille is my parent club, I would say. It’s good for me they give me this.

Can you talk us through going back there just to take the kick-off in the match against PSG. How did that come about? Was it an invitation from the club and is it something that is done quite often over in France?

I was just supposed to watch the game but the president just called me to say I didn’t really have a goodbye to the club because [at the time] I was not 100 per cent going to leave. I was going to say ‘bye’ but I was not certain. So this was my chance to say goodbye to the club for the last time. The president had the idea to do the kick-off, so I accepted, and it was a really good moment to share with the fans. It was a very proud moment for me.

Coming to United and developing here, how do you feel that’s going? Has being at United and playing in the Premier League taught you quite a lot about the game?

I’m learning every day, every game. It’s good for

With only two appearances until he reaches his United half-century, Leny continues to prove himself in what he believes is the toughest league in the world

me to play at this level, I’m going to say, because I was here really quickly, with the top players here. It’s helpful for me to learn every day. The Premier League is a really tough league, so you need to be ready in every game, to face the best players in the world. I think it’s a good thing for me to be here and get the experience.

Some say that there are different challenges every week in the Premier League, with each team presenting a different kind of challenge… Of course, everything is different. Every team is good, so you need to be ready to face a different team every week – they all have top players, you know. There are no easy games in the Premier League, to be honest. You can play against the last [team], and you can have first against last, but it will still be a tough game for both sides. This is what I like. Every game is tough.

Is that why you think the Premier League is so popular across the world, the fact that it is so competitive?

I think everyone knows the Premier League is the most competitive in the world. You have the best players in the world here. Everyone knows it, everyone is watching for this in every game. Yeah, the Premier League is the best in the world.

Can we talk a little bit about what the spirit is like in the squad. We know there’s a good mood here at Carrington, a great environment now with the facilities, how are things going in that respect?

When you have a building like this, you spend more time here and can enjoy it more to be with the team, and this is a really good thing for us. This year, to have this, is going to help the team a lot and the spirit also.

We’ve been on a run of night games here at Old Trafford. Do you appreciate these games under the floodlights?

Yeah, it’s good for us also to have these type of games. Everyone likes these games and to watch these games. So let’s do it.

How positive are you about the future for yourself and the team? Does it feel like, overall, things are going in the right direction?

I’m always positive about this. I think the team is going to do really well in the future, even here in the present. I face every day slowly and I’m not watching too much for the future. I’m just ready for tomorrow and for today. Of course, I think the team is going to do better in the future. ●

LENY YORO

After a solid showing from the bench in our win at Molineux last week, the talented youngster is thriving on every challenge that comes his way

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BOURNEMOUTH

Second in the table towards the end of October, a six-game winless streak sees the Cherries head to M16 aiming to rediscover that early-season form…

KEY DETAILS

Ground: Vitality Stadium (right, capacity 11,307) Last season: Premier League, 9th Top achievements: Championship winners: 2014/15; Football League Trophy winners: 1983/84 Best top-flight campaign: 9th place, 2016/17, 2024/25

Nicknames: The Cherries Founded: 1899 (as Boscombe)

TALKING POINTS

Two points from a possible 18 has resulted in Bournemouth sliding from second in the Premier League table to 13th, but last weekend’s goalless draw with Chelsea provided another example of the result not reflecting the performance’s positivity. Though winless in six, the Cherries were unbeaten in their previous eight outings, winning five.

“We looked like us,” said boss Andoni Iraola after the draw. “We’ve had games where we’ve played worse and you manage to get a goal, one set-piece, you win 1-0. Now everything is costing us, but we can build on this performance.”

Iraola’s Cherries forced Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez into a number of smart saves, while Antoine Semenyo saw an early goal ruled out for a minuscule offside in the build-up.

The talismanic wide forward registered nine goal involvements in Bournemouth’s first seven top-flight games of the season, but Semenyo’s recent dip in output has run parallel with his club’s. Despite a seven-game creative drought, the 25-year-old Ghana international has nevertheless remained dangerous – on three

separate occasions in that run, the London-born, ex-Bristol City forward had goals or assists disallowed.

Maintaining their European goals

Semenyo is one of 10 different goalscorers this season in a side that has necessarily had to share the attacking burden, with Evanilson and Justin Kluivert having bagged only one each this term after 12- and 13-goal seasons respectively in 2024/25. Only Sunderland, West Ham and Wolves have scored fewer goals from open play this season, but Bournemouth’s high-pressing intensity makes them an electric proposition on the counterattack – no team has scored more in transition than Bournemouth’s six. Where Iraola knows his side must improve if they are to qualify for Europe for the first time in club history is a need to be more aggressive with and without the ball. In the recent 1-0 defeat by Everton and 3-2 reverse at Sunderland, who they had led 2-0 after 15 minutes, the south-coasters were unable to resist the opposition’s direct play and regular crosses into the box.

“We looked like us ... now everything is costing us, but we can build on this performance”

–

IRAOLA AFTER LAST WEEKEND’S 0-0 V CHELSEA

The

Despite a strong home showing against Chelsea last weekend, it’s turning those performances into points that remains the key objective for the Cherries

drop-off in goals from key threats like Kluivert is having a telling effect on recent results

tactics board

A 4-2-3-1 formation predicated on maximum intensity and near-religious adherence to a high press remain central to the Iraola way and help explain Bournemouth’s streaky form.

The all-or-nothing set-up overwhelms opposition when it works but if the press can be beaten then it leaves an exposed defence susceptible to transitions as rapid as the Cherries’. Wide defeats by Manchester City (4-0) and Aston Villa (3-1) sparked the recent downturn as Iraola seeks the tweak to spark a renaissance.

In last week’s draw with Chelsea that proved to be deploying two right-backs – Adam Smith behind Alex Jimenez –both to cover for the suspended Tyler Adams and negate the Blues’ twin threat of ex-Red Alejandro Garnacho and left-back Marc Cucurella inverting

into Adams’ usual central midfield zone.

The energetic Adams, who scored a 47.4-yard chip from inside the centre circle against Sunderland, had started every league game before his ban and should return tonight to lead the press. Evanilson and summer signing Junior Kroupi have tended to share the centre-forward load thanks to their ceaseless movement, but fit-again Enes Unal is a good option off the bench. The 28-year-old scored the late leveller against West Ham in mid-November and is the club’s most consistent finisher. Whoever makes tonight’s starting XI, though, expect Iraola to use the full complement of substitutes – the Bournemouth boss averages 4.9 changes per game, with fresh legs vital to implement his trademark intensity throughout 90 minutes.

recent STARTING XI

v Chelsea (h), 06.12.25

GOALKEEPERS

DEFENDERS

MIDFIELDERS

head coach

ANDONI IRAOLA

The 43-year-old Basque has known only victory at Old Trafford, having captained Bilbao’s Athletic Club to Europa League success in March 2012 before turning coaching architect for Bournemouth’s 3-0 victories at the Theatre of Dreams in the past two seasons. A high-pressing disciple of ex-Athletic boss Marcelo Bielsa, the former Rayo Vallecano coach recently passed 100 games in charge of his current club.

FORWARDS

This season we’re going up from 128 to

Premier League matches

‘the Guernsey Grealish’

ALEX SCOTT

The low-slung midfielder is much more than an alliterative nickname, albeit with physical and stylistic similarities to the Everton loanee that make comparison irresistible. Scott’s rise from 16-year-old Channel Island non-league prodigy in the eighth tier to Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad is testament to his creative talents in tight spaces and determination after overcoming a significant knee injury following his £25m move from Bristol City in August 2023. Now 22, he has started every top-flight game bar one this term.

smooth centre-back

MARCOS SENESI

“I feel ready,” said the 28-year-old Senesi in August, determined to put an injury-ravaged 2024/25 behind him and step into the centre-back breach following the big-money summer exits of Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi. More than living up to his own prediction and ‘El Gladiador’ nickname, the Argentinian of Italian descent has been at his smooth best, whether reading the game to snuff out attacks or gliding into midfield to deliver line-breaking left-footed passes that go a long way to accounting for his three 2025/26 assists.

Born to be at Bournemouth

ADRIEN TRUFFERT

As a toddler, the Belgian-born France international left-back took his first steps on Bournemouth beach while his father worked as a laboratory director in nearby Southampton – two decades on, the 24-year-old Olympic silver medallist returned to the south coast after captaining Rennes in the Europa League and establishing himself as one of Ligue 1’s most consistent full-backs. A high-pressing machine at his best forcing turnovers in the opposition’s final third, Truffert is among the top-flight’s most prolific crossers and defends with diligence.

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The 2025/26 campaign is Bournemouth’s fourth consecutive season in the Premier League, and their ninth in the top flight overall. Indeed, the previous five such seasons all came between 2015-2020 – a run they look likely to match once the 2026/27 season begins.

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Games unbeaten, between matchdays two and nine, in the Premier League this season. This impressive run of five wins and three draws lifted the Cherries to second in the table.

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Stadiums that this fixture has been played in: Dean Court (12), Old Trafford (11) and Maine Road (1, due to Old Trafford’s bomb damage during the Second World War).

That 1949 FA Cup clash at City’s ground is also our highest scoring meeting with the Cherries: United winning 6-0.

FIRST, LAST AND ONE IN BETWEEN

Marooned in the Third Division South for more than three decades following their 1923 election into the Football League, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic had to wait until the 1948/49 FA Cup to face the Reds. By the time a third-round trip to our temporary post-war home of Maine Road came around in January 1949, though, the Cherries may have wanted to keep waiting as we ran out 6-0 winners thanks to braces from Ronald Burke and Jack Rowley. Nicknamed ‘the Gunner’ for his explosive shooting, a 17-year-old Rowley had swapped the south coast for red half of Manchester in October 1937 and would later become the Reds’ first player to net 200 goals.

The Reds’ six cup ties against a nominatively diminished Bournemouth in the 1980s may be most memorable to the casual observer but there have been other fascinating contests over the years, perhaps none more so than our 3-1 win

at Dean Court on the opening day of the 2016/17 Premier League season. Fresh from scoring the winner in the Community Shield against Leicester City the week before, Zlatan Ibrahimovic marked his Reds league debut (and Jose Mourinho’s first league game as our manager) with another spectacular goal after Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney had given us a 2-0 lead. Picking the ball up 30 yards from goal, the 34-year-old Swede fired an unerring low drive past Cherries goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Fresh from scoring the winner in the Community Shield the week before, Ibrahimovic marked his Reds league debut with another spectacular goal

“For me the victory is the most important, then whoever scores it’s a bonus,” said the legendary Swede post-game before adding a trademark Zlatanism. “I just play my game, make the team win and we continue like that.” Come season’s end, the inevitable Ibra had struck 28 times in all competitions, with League Cup and Europa League winner’s medals also to his name.

The teams’ most recent meeting was a 1-1 draw in April at the Vitality Stadium. Rasmus Hojlund’s 96th-minute equaliser ensured the Reds returned from Dorset with a point after Antoine Semenyo had given the Cherries a first-half lead. “We deserved at least a point,” said United boss Ruben Amorim at full-time after the Reds had piled on the second-half pressure following Evanilson’s 70th-minute red card for a strong challenge on Noussair Mazraoui.

PLAYED

Zlatan celebrates a debut league goal – a blistering distant low drive – as the Reds begin our 2016/17 Premier League campaign with a 3-1 win down in Dorset

Cherries IN the archive

Our latest trawl through the museum collection reveals mementos old and new from previous clashes with tonight’s visitors…

United’s meetings with Bournemouth in league football are a relatively recent thing, with our first eight encounters against the Cherries taking place exclusively in domestic cup competitions. Our history against them began at Maine Road in January 1949 – turn to p32 to read about that maiden clash – a tie that marked the start of what numbers 24 competitive fixtures between the clubs prior to this evening. There are plenty of fascinating reminders of those early cup clashes in our museum archive, including these commentary notes (pictured right) belonging to legendary broadcaster John Motson. The handwritten sheet was prepared for the BBC’s coverage of our FA Cup fifth-round replay at Old Trafford in February 1989, just days after we’d been held to a 1-1 draw at Dean Court. Motson’s crib sheet shows the level of detail he put into his work, with his note on the eventual match-winner –Brian McClair – highlighting that the Scot had suffered a slight groin strain in the initial tie. There was little sign of that injury in the 19th minute, though, as our then no.9 latched onto an errant backpass to effortlessly fire beyond Bournemouth stopper Gerry Peyton.

A fascinating glimpse of the notes that commentator extraordinaire John Motson made for an FA Cup tie between United and Bournemouth in 1989

The museum archive also contains reminders of matches not regarded as competitive – such as this pennant from our Premier League Summer Series meeting with the Cherries in July. Swapping pennants is a traditional show of friendship and respect between opposing clubs, typically ahead of European games, international fixtures, showpiece matches or friendlies.

Into that latter category falls last summer’s match-up. Played at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ruben Amorim’s side ran out 4-1 winners thanks to goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad and youngster Ethan Williams. The game was part of both clubs’ pre-season preparations rather than any serious barometer of progress – but here’s hoping for a similar outcome this evening.

A pennant swapped before United and the Cherries met in a friendly in the USA during the summer

To find out more about the many other fascinating objects at the Old Trafford museum, scan here.

UNITED... IN 30 CHAPTERS

Looking for a stockingfiller for the Unitedsupporting kids in your life? A new official book is the perfect gift idea…

This club’s fascinating history is one of sport’s greatest tales. How a group of railway workers in East Manchester formed a football club that would become the most famous name in the game. How the club almost went bust on two occasions, suffered a shattering tragedy but recovered to achieve ultimate glory. Then, after a long fallow period, rose again to conquer England, Europe and the world under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Plenty of books have detailed United’s story, but never specifically in a way for youngsters. However, all that changed recently with the release of a brand-new official club title: United Chronicles. This new 142-page children’s book, aimed at young Reds aged 8-13, tells our history in 30 fun chapters, charting our beginnings in 1878 as Newton Heath right up to the present day and our quest to get back to the top.

Each chapter covers a defining period, from the club’s first successes in the early 20th century to the rise of the Women’s team today. Tales

of triumph are plentiful, but the story doesn’t shy away from darker, formative moments. The chapter on the legendary Busby Babes, for example, is thrilling yet tinged with sadness because of the Munich Air Disaster on 6 February 1958.

The book explains why that youthful team captured hearts across the UK and how the club rebuilt itself after the crash to lift the European Cup just a decade later – a story of resilience that defines Manchester United.

“United Chronicles brings the club’s past to life with

young Reds an accessible way to explore our rich history like never before.

There’s a chapter that celebrates our most unforgettable season, of course –winning the iconic 1998/99 Treble in the most dramatic way. That follows a look at our first ‘Double’ win in 1994, and the ‘Class of ’92’ lads emerging to do the ‘Double Double’ two years later. Then there are the achievements of Sir Alex’s third great side – fired to international glory by Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. But there’s so much more, too: a look at our trophy trailblazers

United Chronicles brings the club’s past to life with energy and excitement, reminding adults of wonderful moments as long-time supporters while educating youngsters about the magic of our club.

STYLE?

UNITEDReview

UNITEDReview

Fernandes BRUNO

Amad

it’s just another Magic monday!

Tonight’s rendezvous with the Cherries is the 77th United game to fall on this day of the week during the Premier League era. The preceding 76 have turned up trophy lifts, epic battles and everything in between –here’s our killer top 10…

Chelsea 0 United 2

(Martial 45, Maguire 66)

17.02.2020

Do you remember Bruno Fernandes’s first assist as a Manchester United player? It came during a tough Mondaynight assignment at Stamford Bridge in February 2020, in Bruno’s second match as a Red, when he delivered a glorious inswinging corner onto Harry Maguire’s head to complete a 2-0 win for United. One of only three Premier League wins we’ve achieved at the Bridge this century, it also marked the dawning of the Portuguese’s huge

creative outpouring for the club. We didn’t lose a single league game that season following his arrival from Sporting Lisbon, as we rose to a third-place finish under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and achieved Champions League football for 2020/21. Almost six years later plenty has changed at United, but some things remain the same: we’re still completely in love with Fernandes, and Harry’s still heading ’em in.

Harry Maguire plants a header into the Chelsea net

United 2 Liverpool 1

(Silvestre 20, 66) 20.09.2004

United 2, Liverpool 1 has a cheering ring to it, don’t you think? Harry Maguire’s late header at Anfield in October means we’ve now beaten the Merseyside reds by that scoreline on 11 separate occasions this century. And two of them have occurred in Monday-night games (you’ll find the second instance later in this list).

The first came on the kind of dank, miserable Manchester evening that often brings the best out of Old Trafford and Alex Ferguson’s United, especially when a rival rocks up. Liverpool had lost just one of their previous five visits to M16, but on the night that Rio Ferdinand returned from an eight-month suspension, another defender emerged from the shadows to send the Scousers home with sadness in their eyes.

Coventry 2 United 3

(Scholes 33, Cole 56, 79) 01.05.1995

Monday-night fixtures can bring an extra jouissance to football: all the other league fixtures for the weekend have usually been completed, so all eyes are on your team, in a televised fixture under the floodlights. But those same elements can also exaggerate something less desirable: pressure. In the spring of 1995, United were desperately chasing down league leaders Blackburn Rovers and, as we travelled to Highfield Road to take on Coventry on 1 May, Rovers’ advantage at the top of the table was a gaping eight points, and matches were running out. With the eyes of the nation glued to Sky Sports, a young United team featuring Gary Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes – and shorn of the inspirational Eric Cantona and Roy Keane – simply had to

find three points to keep the pressure on Kenny Dalglish’s Rovers. Twice we took the lead, through Scholes and Andy Cole, but twice the Sky Blues pegged us back. Time was ebbing away, and Blackburn inching closer to a seven-point gap with just three games left. But with barely 10 minutes remaining, Cole leapt upon Kevin Richardson’s sloppy back-header, took one touch to lift the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Jonathan Gould, and another to calmly nudge it home on the volley. Agonisingly, United finished just one goal shy of snatching the title from Blackburn on the final day, but this game shines brightly in the memory as a prime example of Monday-night football at its squeaky-bum-time best.

Two headers from Mikael Silvestre – a player whom Liverpool almost signed, before Sir Alex intervened – did the damage, either side of a John O’Shea own goal. But the star of the night was 19-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who terrorised Carragher and co with one of

his best early United performances. A ridiculously imaginative backwards Cruyff turn to deceive Liverpool rightback Josemi was a particular highlight – check out MUTV’s Premier League Collection online to see that stunning piece of skill in all its glory.

An exciting Monday in 1995 kept title dreams alive

Mikael Silvestre was the unlikely hero in 2004

Middlesbrough 3

United 4

(Giggs 46, Cole 60, Scholes 74, Fortune 88)

10.04.2000

United won the league by a chasmic 18 points in the season after the Treble, concretising our reputation as the dominant English team of the era. After a surprise 3-0 reverse at Newcastle in February, United were unbeaten for the final 14 games of the season, winning the last 11. Arguably our toughest assignment of the run-in was this Monday-night tester at the Riverside Stadium, against a Boro team on their own unbeaten seven-match stretch. There was plenty of aggro, with former Red Paul Ince bringing most of the ruckus, and Boro even pettily reducing the number of tickets given to United’s legendary turn-of-the-century away following to 1,100. But United were so good it barely mattered: the lower number of tickets, Boro’s form… even the fact they held the lead at half-time, through Andy Campbell. Giggs, Scholes and Cole soon had us 3-1 up, and when Ince pulled one back with three minutes left, it merely inspired Quinton Fortune to instantly add our fourth. Middlesbrough’s jinking genius Juninho grabbed another in the last minute, but the 4-3 scoreline couldn’t mask the gulf between the two teams. At this period in United history, there was simply no way of stopping the Reds at domestic level.

(Smalling 55, Lukaku 76, Matic 90+1) 05.03.18 6

Crystal Palace 2 United 3

United’s second season under Jose Mourinho delivered a post-Ferguson record of 81 Premier League points, and also one of the great ‘Fergie-time’ goals of the last 12 years. Nemanja Matic’s glorious long-range strike against Crystal Palace in March 2018 was unlikely enough as an isolated piece of football brilliance – the Serb had never found the net for the Reds before, and would finish

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his Old Trafford career with just four in 189 games. But there was a sense of elated shock among players and fans when it arrived in the 91st-minute of a see-sawing belter at Selhurst Park, in which United had trailed 2-0. Matic’s goal made it 3-2 and completed a classic comeback, and his left-footed screamer is still replayed and cherished seven years on.

United 2 Liverpool 1

(Sancho 16, Rashford 53)

22.08.2022

When Erik ten Hag lost his first two matches as Man United manager, most critics previewed his third, at home to Liverpool, as if it were a scheduled execution. Liverpool had come within a couple of whiskers of the quadruple a few months before, in a season where they’d also triumphed 5-0 at Old Trafford. But it’s almost always an error to suggest that the outcome of a UnitedLiverpool match is preordained, no matter the respective circumstances of the two clubs. On a raucous night at Old Trafford, Lisandro Martinez got stuck into Mo Salah, James Milner and almost everyone else, and the

M16 crowd rose to the occasion, as goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford jump-started the Ten Hag era. United would finish eight points ahead of Klopp’s muchvaunted squad, and this aggressive, passionate performance belatedly set the tone for an impressive season.

Nemanja Matic hit a memorable winner at Selhurst Park

Marcus Rashford proved to be a Monday match-winner

Paul Scholes was one of four United scorers at Boro

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Norwich 1 United 3

(Giggs 13, Kanchelskis 20, Cantona 21)

05.04.1993

Alex Ferguson achieved miracles with Aberdeen before joining United in November 1986. But for a long time it was far from certain that he would prevail at Old Trafford. When United blew the title in the chaotic final weeks of the 1991/92 season, many fans genuinely felt we’d never get a better chance. And a four-game winless streak in March ’93 seemed to signal another collapsing title bid. But on a blustery night at Carrow Road, third-placed United dismantled Norwich, who’d started the night in second, with a display of stunning urgency and ambition. Goals from Giggs, Kanchelskis and Cantona had us three up within 21 minutes – and all of them were absolute thrillers. For many Reds

of this era, the football played here remains the template for all United teams: fast, ferocious and free-spirited. “Some of our football was breathtaking, unbelievable stuff,” said Ferguson afterwards. Watch the second – which starts with Gary Pallister just yards from

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our own goal and climaxes with a Kanchelskis finish from a dauntingly tight angle – if you want to see what he means. In UR’s humble (and only slightly red-eyed opinion) football – never mind Monday-night football –has never been played better.

Newcastle 0 United 1

(Cantona 52) 04.03.1996

Almost all of the United performances included on this countdown delivered more attacking quality than this entry, but few can match it for resilience and determination. Newcastle had led the league for much of the season, and been 12 points clear of United at the end of January. But by the end of this meeting in early March, Eric Cantona’s 52ndminute volley and a string of totemic Peter Schmeichel saves had whittled their lead down to a solitary point. Newcastle still had a game in hand, but their failure to capitalise on a completely dominant first-half performance at St James’s Park sounded the death knell for their title hopes. Defeats to Arsenal, Liverpool and Blackburn soon allowed United to edge in front and, from there, the pluck of Schmeichel, Bruce, Keane and Cantona –

and their young Class of ’92 disciples – never let up. We eventually won the title by four points, but this night on Tyneside lingers in the memory as the most decisive 90 minutes of the 1995/96 season. Incidentally, Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle team are popularly remembered as ‘The Entertainers’ to this day, despite scoring fewer goals than United.

One swish of the right boot and United were 1-0 winners

Kanchelskis fires in our second, in a stunning exhibition of football at Carrow Road in 1993

Eric Cantona headlined a resilient display at St James’ Park

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United 3 Aston Villa 0

(Van Persie 2,13, 33) 22.04.2013

The night that United became the first English club to reach the milestone of 20 titles felt special at the time. Of course it did. But hindsight and

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subsequent events have only elevated its majesty. The drive to that year’s championship had been powered by one man, Robin van Persie, and, fittingly, his second hat-trick of the season helped us achieve the 3-0 win over Aston Villa that completed the job. His second goal of the evening – a first-time volley from about 20 yards, applied to Wayne Rooney’s raking long pass – seemed to have been plucked straight from some heavenly dream. This was a perfect night for those that lived through it, but it’s hard to avoid a touch of melancholy when recalling it 12 years on: this was the last great performance of the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Ordinarily, we prefer to avoid cliché here at UR, but it feels appropriate to fall back on one here: ‘Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.’

United 3 Blackburn Rovers 1

(Giggs 21, Ince 60, Pallister 90)

03.05.1993

Many long-time United fans describe this evening at Old Trafford as not just our best-ever Monday game, but the greatest Old Trafford moment of all. Full stop. There are plenty of contenders for that accolade – the victories over Barcelona in 1984 and 2008 spring quickly to mind – but this 3-1 win over Blackburn at the end of 1992/93 was surely our stadium’s greatest moment of celebration. Our 26-year wait for the top-flight title had ended one day earlier, with Aston Villa’s 1-0 defeat to Oldham Athletic at Villa Park, and what had hitherto looked like a tricky match against Blackburn Rovers was turned into one big party. The result didn’t really matter to the thousands that packed into Old Trafford and the surrounding areas, but it did to Alex Ferguson and United’s players. Despite going behind to Kevin Gallacher’s early goal, the freshly crowned champions

UNITED ON MONDAYS : THE STATS

Figures relate to the Premier League era, when Monday-night fixtures became more regular.

responded with a stunning free-kick from Ryan Giggs, a finish from Paul Ince and a highly unexpected second free-kick, courtesy of Gary Pallister. But the win, and the performance, were secondary to the overwhelming outpouring of joy

that M16 witnessed throughout this truly magical May bank holiday. That Sir Matt Busby was present – just months before his death in January 1994 – added another tinge of beauty to this landmark moment in our club’s history. ●

A Robin van Persie hat-trick downed Villa and sealed the title

Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson ended 26 years of pain by lifting the trophy that meant United were champions again

Russell’s happy new year

Who are we looking at? A huddle of United players crowded around Reds youngster Russell Beardsmore, after he’d netted his maiden senior goal. Looking on are dejected Liverpool players.

When and where was this taken? On Sunday 1 January 1989, at the Stretford End of Old Trafford, watched on by 44,745.

What’s the significance of the photo? It shows arguably the high point of Beardsmore’s United career, with the relevance to tonight’s game being that the Wigan-born winger would later spend five years with our visitors Bournemouth. Such were the celebrations after this goal that Beardsmore is not even visible in this photo! He’s been completely engulfed by ecstatic team-mates.

How did the game go, and our season? The importance of this goal is that it was our third in the space of six minutes, completing a rapid response to Liverpool’s 70th-minute opener from John Barnes – for an unforgettable 3-1 win. A minute after the visitors had struck, Brian McClair acrobatically fired United level from a floated Beardsmore cross. Then, on 74 minutes, Mark Hughes put us ahead with a fierce near-post strike, and three minutes later the victory was sealed thanks to Beardsmore flashing home a volley from a Lee Sharpe centre. As for the season? Alex Ferguson’s side were still very much in the building phase of his era, with his first silverware not arriving until the following 1989/90 season. However, the emergence of the likes of Russell, Mark Robins and Lee Martin, showed that the Reds’ Academy was again producing lots of young stars – plenty more of whom would emerge over the coming years as United rose to dominance.

manchester born & bbred

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Paul Comes Home

Back in November we welcomed former Red Paul Edwards and his family to the Theatre of Dreams

Last month Old Trafford received a special visitor, in the guise of former defender Paul Edwards, who played 68 first-team games for United between 1969 and 1972.

It’s been a tough period for Paul and his family in recent years, due to the onset of dementia, which has a big effect on the 78-year-old’s daily life. But the Lancastrian and his family enjoyed taking a journey back to Paul’s footballing heyday in M16, spending a happy afternoon by the pitch where he scored his only United goal – a thumping shot against Manchester City in the 1969 League Cup semi-final second leg.

Our Museum archivists dug out a host of items relating to Paul’s era – programmes, photos, trading cards and more – to take the Edwards clan back in time to a period when Paul graced the same team as Best, Law and Charlton. There was even time to recreate a photograph of Edwards and his then two-year-old son, David, taken in 1969.

Paul had made his debut a year earlier, against Everton in the August of ’68, just a few months after Sir Matt Busby’s team had become the first from England to lift the European Cup. He would play 61 times across his first two seasons, as both a full-back and a central defender, before joining Oldham Athletic on loan in 1972. He made his Latics stint permanent the following summer, and finished his career with Stockport County five years later.

The club was delighted to see this fine servant of the club back on his old stomping ground, on an emotional afternoon for all present.

Paul in his United heyday (left) and back pitchside at Old Trafford (above) as he and his family (below) take up a special invitation from his former club

Eighty Not Out

Meet the latest supporter to feature in UR’s iconic handshake illustration – he’s been watching the Reds since 1945/46!

We’re sat high up in Old Trafford’s East Stand on a cold December afternoon when Neil Jones’s eyes first glance skywards, as if struck by a magical spell.

“I’ve seen some wonderful things,” he says, plainly, as we start to traverse almost 80 years of United memories, including personal encounters with many of the major characters in club history.

Neil is 90 and January marks eight whole decades since his first match: an FA Cup tie against Accrington Stanley at Maine Road. Or so we think… He knows that Billy Wrigglesworth (“the first man I saw with long hair”) and Jimmy Hanlon were playing on the wings that day, and the Accrington game matches up. And after that experience, the United bug quickly gripped him.

“They were interesting days,” he begins, explaining how the extra petrol coupons that his father, a plumber, received for filling blow lamps enabled them to get to more games than most. “We had a car, and nobody had a car after the war, so we used to go to Maine Road and some Cup ties.

“I remember my first season ticket was four guineas, and we had these huge crowds of 80,000. One memorable match was against Burnley on New Year’s Day, when it was four-inches-deep with mud. We won 5-0. Another New Year’s Day, the fellow on the row behind us was in tie and tails, fast asleep! He’d gone straight to the

“It becomes part of the fabric of your life. You come to the games and, if you’re 10 minutes earlier than usual, Old Trafford will just take you back”

match from New Year’s Eve! Those things make a mark when you’re young.”

Busby’s exciting United side made its mark too, most notably by lifting the 1948 FA Cup at Wembley. Jones was there, though his day had started inauspiciously.

“The boys at school all wanted programmes, so they gave me all these

sixpences and shillings,” he grins, “but the train was absolutely teeming. I was wondering how we’d get on when my father just shouted: ‘Get in!’ All this silver went under the train as we did!”

Eventually they made it, only for Jones junior to buy a job lot of programmes that later proved to be forgeries. But memories

Four generations at the match: Neil, son Arthur, granddaughter Chloe and great granddaughter Amelie

of Jack Rowley and Johnny Carey’s brilliance endure. And because Neil lived in nearby Sale, theirs were familiar faces off the field too.

“Jack Rowley had a Standard Nine soft-drop coupe,” he recalls. “Charlie Mitten had a great big huge Vauxhall, with a big long bonnet. I don’t think anybody else in the team had a car then. When I used to get the bus to school towards Piccadilly, I’d see the players waiting at the Dog and Partridge with their boots

under their arms. John Aston, Stan Pearson… I can still see them now.”

Jones’s close links with United’s great and good would continue. Due to his success in construction, he ended up living next-door-but-one to Alex Stepney, with Stuart ‘Pancho’ Pearson “over the fence” and David Sadler round the corner. Neil’s son, Arthur, was even a close friend of George Best’s.

Football would prove to be a constant thread throughout his life: later, he served as a director at Altrincham FC, was put in charge of Lou Macari’s testimonial committee, and became a close friend of former United director Maurice Watkins. His passion for the Reds always came first, though – after family, of course!

“Once you’re latched on, you’re latched on,” smiles Neil, as we talk about his favourite players, his best moments and plenty in-between. “It becomes part of the fabric of your life. You come to the games and, if you’re 10 minutes earlier than usual, Old Trafford will just take you back.

“I can see Harry Gregg with his shoulder in a sling, David Herd scoring a goal… some of those wonderful matches the youth teams played. We shall come

s all-time XI

to a point where I can’t come any more, because the walk from the car is hard, and the steps. But the things I’ve seen have been unbelievable.”

Neil’s family approached UR to tell us of his impending 80th match-going anniversary, and at times during our conversation he is self-deprecating about the attention. Why would United Review want to speak to him?

The answer is that it should always be one of this club’s jobs to identify and recognise those who have ploughed so much of their time, money and emotion into the furtherance of Manchester United. Fans like Neil Jones.

With granddaughter Connie, ready for another Old Trafford occasion

Best opposition player: Alfredo Di Stefano

Alex Stepney and Stuart Pearson are legends – but also neighbours

A flight to Bournemouth for an away day in 1984

MATCHDAY

MESSAGES

To Tommy: we hope the matchday experience has been everything you thought it was going to be, and enjoy the rest of your holiday. From the Manchester United family.

Wishing a very happy seventh birthday to Ronan Flynn, from all of us at United.

Happy birthday to Penny Lane, here to celebrate turning 13 on 13 December. She’s been attending games since she was a baby and is a keen player herself with her local team.

Happy eighth birthday, Mason Lewis, from all of us at United!

Happy birthday for 10 December to Finlay Williams. He’s here today with dad Mark and his favourite player is Kobbie Mainoo.

Happy 12th birthday to you, Mikey Edwards, and have a great time at the game.

Many happy returns to Noah Hunt for his 18th birthday. Have a good one, Noah.

Happy 11th birthday to you, Justin Bunn, and have a brilliant time at the Theatre of Dreams.

Happy 38th birthday to Pardeep Rai – a United fan for 32 of them!

Catherine Bristow is here with her dad for her first Old Trafford trip to celebrate her 12th birthday. Many happy returns, Catherine.

A big birthday greeting to lifelong, local Red Conrad Murray, who is celebrating a very special 50th birthday tonight. Conrad’s been a regular here since his dad John took him into the old K-Stand as a boy, and growing up Bryan Robson was his hero. Best wishes to you Conrad, from everyone at United!

Wishing the best birthday celebration for the most wonderful person I know, my darling Kristján. I can’t wait to celebrate all day long with your favourite team. Love, Anna.

A happy 10th birthday to Harry McClean, who is celebrating in the best way possible – by attending his first United game at Old Trafford! Lots of love from Daddy, Mummy and Anna.

Here’s Ronnie Weeks ahead of the derby earlier this season. He’s looking forward to welcoming his little sister to the world around 13 December.

Happy 18th birthday to Kieron. He has been a massive United fan his whole life. Enjoy the game! Lots of love from Mum, Rob and Callum.

Happy 11th birthday for 14 December to Mason (right) from Northern Ireland. He’s pictured with brother Max.

We’d like to welcome brother and sister Ross and Hannah Morrison, from Northern Ireland, along with dad Sean. Ross went through heart surgery at a young age and is here for his second visit. Enjoy the day!

All the way from Sydney, Australia, – Joshua, Jessica, and Joseph are here at Old Trafford for the matches against Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Wolves, joined by their parents, Danny and Michelle. Danny is a lifelong Red whose passion has been passed on to the next generation.

Happy 10th birthday to Bailey Metcalfe, a huge Red and Matheus Cunha fan. Have a great day. Love Mum, Dad, Bodhi and Bluebell.

Happy 40th birthday, Michael

Happy 13th birthday, Leland! Love Mum, Pep, Grandma, Grandad, Rupert and Betsy. Have a great day.

Jack Ormsby, aged 10, from Northern Ireland, is very excited to be attending his first game today. He’s over on a trip with the Carryduff MUSC.

Happy sixth birthday, Albie. Let’s celebrate with three points. Love from Mummy, Daddy, Elsie and Noah.

Ishaun will be celebrating his 10th birthday on 27 December and this year is extra special – he’ll be attending his very first match at Old Trafford tonight. He dreams of becoming a football player one day, and afterwards a pilot, so he can fly the team around the world. A true Red in the making!

Happy sixth birthday, Arthur Collinge. Enjoy your first game at Old Trafford. Lots of love, Nana, Bang and the Ennises.

Happy 10th birthday to Jack Maguire. He’s a huge Red who has travelled to tonight’s game from Ireland. Love from all his family, Niall, Mairead, Emma and Meabh.

Sending a birthday shout-out to Harry Parsons, who’s here to celebrate turning 12 having travelled down for tonight’s game from Scotland.

Happy 16th birthday, Mason Hendry.

Happy 10th birthday, Ted Foy! A lifelong Manchester United supporter. Have the best time celebrating. Love Mum, Dad and Bea.

Happy birthday, Darren. Hope you have the best day and United get a win to celebrate!

A happy 18th birthday to Kody Deeprose for 13 December.

Happy 50th birthday, Leroy. Have a great day!

Happy 58th birthday to Johnny Hill, here tonight for the first time having travelled up from Cornwall.

Happy birthday to Omar Ashraf, a lifelong Red who celebrated turning 40 on 1 December.

Happy 10th birthday to Yusuf Ali, from your uncle, Aftab Ali. Enjoy your first experience of a United match and tour –this was your dream as kid, to be at the stadium on your birthday.

Happy eighth birthday, Mason Lewis. Have a glory, glory birthday, from all of us at United!

To Elijah Street: we hope you enjoy yourself at the game tonight, and have a very happy 13th birthday on 16 December.

Happy 80th birthday to Chris Boon, who has been a season ticket holder at Old Trafford for many years.

For my first time at Old Trafford, I was 18 years old, and have been a dedicated United fan since then. Today is my 67th birthday and I had to be at the Theatre of Dreams. Kim Johansen

Happy 18th birthday, Connor Sugrue. From Mum, Dad, Thea, Winnie, Grandma and Grandad.

Happy birthday to Joey, who is at the game tonight celebrating turning 13. Love from all the family.

Happy birthday to Grady McGough, a big Harry Maguire fan who is turning nine. She’s a keen footballer herself and has been visiting Old Trafford since she was very little.

Best friends Dean Winters and Anthony McMillen are lifelong United fans from Northern Ireland who have been coming to games together for years. They’re both looking forward to being back at Old Trafford to cheer on the Reds.

Jacob Fitzsimmons adores United and his favourite player is Bruno Fernandes. He’s here from Northern Ireland to celebrate turning 11 today. Happy birthday!

Happy eighth birthday, Thomas. Enjoy your first game at Old Trafford. Love Mum, Dad and Amelia.

Happy 14th birthday, Lucas and Oscar. Have an amazing time at the game. Lots of love, Mum and Dad.

Have

A very happy 80th birthday for 14 December to Clifford Crehan, a massive lifelong Red and a frequent visitor to Old Trafford.

Wishing a happy 11th birthday for 15 December to Conor Vaughan He and his family are here from

Happy 70th birthday, Steve Taylor. United’s biggest fan – still shouting at the ref after all these years! Enjoy Old Trafford and the new shirt. Love from Karen, Emma, Matt, Will, Sophie, Jack and Lee.

Hoping you had an amazing 17th birthday, Conor Love Nan and Grandad.

Happy 15th birthday, Lily

Have a great day and enjoy the Bournemouth game. Lots of love, Dad, Mum, Shaun and Milo.

Happy birthday to my brilliant dad, Harry Cheshire, who turns 80 in December. A lifelong Red and Stretford Ender who never misses a game! We couldn’t be prouder. Lots of love, Martin and family.

Ollie and Fionn Treanor, aged eight and nine respectively, are two lifelong Reds here for their first live game. Have a brilliant visit.

21st

and have a great day!

and

Aya is a passionate United fan who lives in Dubai, and turns 24 today – happy birthday to you!

Happy

birthday, Charlie Pass,

Lots of love, Mum, Dad, Riley, Oliver

Elliott.

Happy 13th birthday, boys, and welcome to your first ever game at the Theatre of Dreams!

Happy 12th birthday to Harry McGlinchey, who has travelled down from Scotland to celebrate.

a great time at the game.

Happy 14th golden birthday, Keira! Keep dreaming big, cheering loud and being the incredible girl you are. We love you. The Isaac family.

Here’s Elizabeth Seggie celebrating United in South Africa back in October. Brilliant photo!

Happy 15th birthday for 3 December, Dhian Sandhu!

Northern Ireland to celebrate.

big Old

Happy 42nd birthday for 16 December to Frans, and many happy returns also to Anton, who turns 50 on 20 December. They’re both here tonight and pictured with Inge and Angelique.

Happy 14th birthday to Zavier for 19 December. He’ll be cheering the Reds on from the Stretford End. Love from Mum, Dad and Xanthe.

Wishing a happy 11th birthday to Luciano. Have a great day.

Wishing you a very happy birthday, Daddy. We hope you have the best day ever. Love you so much.

IN MEMORIAM

David Chilton of Shrewsbury passed away on 21 October, aged 83. He was a lifelong supporter and had one last smile brought to his face by United when his favourite player, Harry Maguire, scored the winner against Liverpool. Rest in peace, David.

Have a great time at your first United game, Ben Thomson, and happy eighth birthday!

eighth

A very happy 10th birthday to Belle Makepeace for 22 November. She’s a huge fan who regularly goes to matches and is pictured with her favourite player, Bruno Fernandes.

In special memory of John Taafe, who sadly lost his battle with cancer when he passed away on 29 September peacefully in hospital, surrounded by his family. John fought hard to battle his illness but sadly it overcame him and he will be deeply missed by all his family, especially his wife, Pat. John was a long-term Manchester United fan, attending every home game before his illness. He loved to watch the mighty Reds playing and winning, and attended most Wembley trips through the years, with plenty of fun had along the way. Rest in peace, John.

Scott Andrew, a loving father, husband and son, and an avid United supporter, passed away on 2 November, surrounded by his family. Our thoughts go out to all his loved ones.

Happy

birthday, Charlie! Love Dad, Mum, Morgan and Olivia.

Love from Dad! C’mon, you Reds!

A

Trafford welcome to six-year-old Clayton Byrne, from Ireland. He’ll be cheering on the Reds for the very first time tonight, with his dad Der and sister Katie.

Happy birthday, Matthew Williams. Have a fantastic day. Love, Danielle and your boys.

Happy eighth birthday to you, Rory!

New local mural celebrates football’s first superstar for his achievements on both sides of Manchester’s Red-Blue divide…

Meredith struts his stuff in his own distinctive style during his United days, with his service to both Manchester clubs recognised by a new mural (right) in Withington, where he once lived

WIZARD OF WITHINGTON

Ask our neighbours across town about Billy Meredith and they’ll undoubtedly claim him as one of their own – a City great who helped them to their first FA Cup before heading off elsewhere for a spell, but then returning for a second stint in his late forties. But, on this side of Manchester, we have a very different view of the man dubbed the ‘Welsh Wizard’.

That ‘elsewhere’ was Manchester United, of course – and we regard him very much as a true Reds legend and a vital figure in our first five trophy wins. He was a First Division title winner in 1908 and 1911, an FA Cup winner in 1909, and collected Charity Shield winner’s medals in 1908 and 1911. He’s a club record holder, too, becoming our oldest ever player by turning out for us aged 46 years, 281 days in May 1921.

Billy was a winger, a very tricky one, with his bandy legs giving him a distinctive style of play. He was a dribbler, nimble enough to dodge stray kicks from defenders, and was a precise crosser who also packed a powerful shot. All of which he did with a toothpick hanging from the corner of his mouth! He’s also remembered as one of the founding members of what later became the Professional Footballers’ Association. It’s fair to say Billy was quite a character.

Although he was born in Chirk, North Wales – hence the nickname – he lived for a long time in Withington. And it’s in his adopted home that a new mural was unveiled recently, reflecting the time he spent playing for both United and City. Positioned close to the ‘Withington Walls’ mural of Marcus Rashford, the new addition shows Billy in a part red, part blue shirt to reflect the part he played for both Manchester clubs. It has been created by artist Jamie Steward, who said of the new mural: “I have enjoyed looking into the life and career of Billy Meredith. He was a real superstar of his era. In the mural, I’ve tried to find a balance between the opposing red and blue colours of City and United.”

Withington Walls is a volunteer-led, community street art project responsible for over 100 artworks on previously unloved walls and shutters under the tagline ‘vibrant public artwork as a catalyst for change’. The project has also celebrated other notable figures with ties to Withington including suffragist Margaret Ashton, Factory Records’ Peter Saville and Tony Wilson, and musician Paul Heaton.

This mural of football’s first superstar is a fitting tribute to the man who played 335 games for United and 394 times for City. It’s well worth a visit and can be found close the Rashford mural on Copson Street in Withington. Take a look!

STORY BEHIND THE SHOT

The much relished visit to Molineux for our club photographer ASH DONELON (above) allowed him to absorbingly capture United’s attacking action from the sideline with darting precision

AMAD ATTACKS

When and where:

Wolverhampton Wanderers v United, Molineux Stadium, Monday 8 December 2025.

Ash says:

“Molineux is one of my favourite grounds to work at because the away section spans the full length of one side of the pitch, meaning I can swap ends at half-time and still be in front of the visiting United fans, which is rare. Usually football photographers are assigned positions at the goal ends where the attacking players run towards you, but on the sidelines at Wolves the players typically run across your field of view, creating the possibility for panning shots, such as this one. To achieve this effect I set my camera to a slow shutter speed and moved my lens in sync with the speed and direction of Amad’s sprint, and I feel this technique delivers a still image with a sense of motion.”

Reds JUNIOR

How did United ‘complete the jigsaw’?

Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in May 2013 was probably the biggest shock to the club’s system since Sir Matt Busby’s retirement in 1969. And just like back then, those that followed found it extremely difficult to match the previous man’s staggering levels of success.

David Moyes was the first to have a crack, but his reign was over inside 10 months, as United dropped to seventh in the Premier League. Ryan Giggs led the team for the last four games of 2013/14, as interim manager, and played his final Reds match in our last home game: a 3-1 win over Hull City. That was his 963rd United appearance!

Louis van Gaal arrived that summer –with Giggs retained as assistant manager – but he too struggled. Three pillars of the defence left – Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic – while forwards Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez

(loan) also departed. Exciting signings like Daley Blind, Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera and Radamel Falcao (loan) replaced them, and United did manage to qualify for the Champions League that season. But there were concerning moments, too. MK Dons, two divisions below us, beat us 4-0 in the second round of the League Cup!

The next season, 2015/16, was even more difficult. United failed to win any of our final eight games of 2015 and speculation about van Gaal’s future was rife.

Things picked up a bit in the early months of 2016, thanks to the breakthrough of 18-year-old Marcus Rashford, who scored four times in his first two games. Alongside French striker Anthony Martial, the teenager led United’s charge towards that season’s FA Cup final. However, at Wembley Crystal Palace took the lead with just 12 minutes left. And although Juan Mata equalised shortly

Our Europa League triumph in the 2016/17 season meant the Reds joined an exclusive list of clubs to have won every major domestic and international honour

after, we were reduced to 10 men when Chris Smalling was red-carded early in extra-time. But another youngster, Jesse Lingard, powered home an unstoppable volley to seal the first trophy of the post-Ferguson years.

The joy was short-lived for van Gaal, though, who was dismissed just two days later. Jose Mourinho quickly replaced him, and the Portuguese made some big signings to kickstart a new era. Former Academy graduate Paul Pogba rejoined from Juventus for a then world-record fee, and charismatic Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic also arrived.

But like van Gaal, Mourinho struggled to get United winning regularly in the Premier League. There were just five league defeats in 2016/17, but 15 frustrating draws! However, again, United managed to pick up silverware.

The Reds knocked Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City out of the League Cup, before beating Southampton 3-2 in the final. A late header from Zlatan –his second goal of the game – was the winner, and Ibra was the undoubted hero of the season, scoring 28 goals before a knee injury in March 2017.

But losing such a talisman didn’t stop us. The season’s climax came in Stockholm three months later, with victory over Ajax in the Europa League final. It was an important result for several reasons. Firstly, it qualified us for the Champions League, after a

disappointing sixth-place finish in the Premier League. Secondly, it made us one of only a handful of European clubs to have won every major domestic and international trophy. We’d completed ‘the jigsaw’!

There was another reason, though. A more emotional one. Just two days before the game, 22 people had died when a bomb exploded at Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert. United’s win offered a small crumb of comfort to a grieving city, and symbolised Manchester’s unbreakable spirit. Even a few Blues were behind us that night.

And the match itself? Well, that showed Mourinho at his savviest. He asked our tall, strong midfielder Marouane Fellaini to play further

forward, which meant United could play long balls and bypass Ajax’s energetic pressing. Goals from Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan did the damage.

Mourinho’s first season had delivered. But the big question still remained: could he help United reclaim the Premier League title?

RECORD-BREAKing legacy for rooney

The 2016/17 season was Wayne Rooney’s last in a United shirt. The Liverpudlian added eight goals across the campaign, and his memorable free-kick against Stoke City took him beyond Sir Bobby Charlton’s long-standing club record of 249 goals. Rooney eventually signed off with a humongous 253 to his name!

Zlatan Ibrahimovic heads home the 2017 League Cup final winner against Southampton as Jose Mourinho marks his first season in charge with silverware

Jesse Lingard celebrates his winner against Crystal Palace at Wembley, as we lifted our 12th FA Cup in May 2016

PREMIER LEAGUE

As we prepare to face the Cherries, which other culinary clubs have we

Toffees

(West)Ham

TANGERINE

We faced Blackpool in the 2010/11 Premier League season, winning home and away.

MONDAY’s main men

Can you remember who opened the scoring in each of these Monday-night fixtures since 2020?

Clarets

Burnley’s nickname is also a term for red wine (but not until older,you’re kids!)

(Mag)pies

For Newcastle –who doesn’t love a half-time pie at the big match?

Introduce young Reds to 30 club legends and their incredible stories, with fantastic illustrations from artist Stanley Chow.

Test your knowledge of the club with more than 1,400 questions on a range of topics and eras of the club’s history.

Iconic and rarely seen images are now seen in full colour for the first time, to show United’s history as you’ve never seen it before.

Learn about our greatest teams, iconic managers, famous goals, dramatic matches and trophy triumphs in this illustrated story of the world’s most famous football club

Thanks to the support of fans, players and staff, more than 2,250 coats have been donated to young people and families in need by Manchester United Foundation, after our matchday appeals earlier this season.

Fans responded to our request for coats in their droves, meaning we have now collected almost 6,500 coats over the last three years, since the initial appeal in 2023.

As well as donations at two Old Trafford fixtures – from the wins over Brighton for the men’s team and PSG for the women’s team – donations from both playing squads and club staff have contributed to the overall total.

Coats have primarily been distributed to the Foundation’s network of more than 70 partner primary, secondary and special educational needs schools, based in the areas of highest social deprivation in Greater Manchester and outreach areas in Carlisle, Derry/Londonderry, London and Glossopdale.

John Shiels, the Foundation’s chief executive, said: “I’d like to thank our fans once again for their incredible support towards this initiative for a third year in a row.

“When we first began this appeal in 2023, it was in direct response to the needs of our young people – after hearing about concerns of staying warm from our Youth Voice panel during the winter months. Unfortunately, that need has only grown, and we know that, tragically, almost 40 per cent of children in Greater Manchester are living in poverty.

“It’s a source of great pride that we can take these coats into our schools and the children will know that they have come from the Manchester United family. We will continue giving our all to support these young people in every way we can.”

Old coat... new home!

Following our recent coat appeal, your donations have been distributed to those who

need them most across Manchester

Carol Davies, office manager at Primrose Hill Primary School, said: “We’ve received a donation of coats to help our children keep warm in the winter months ahead, which we really appreciate. Sometimes, we do have children come into school without a coat, or coats that just aren’t warm enough, so it will make a massive difference.

“The children will be really pleased that the coats have come from the Foundation appeal. The fact people have gone out and donated will make them feel special.”

Volunteers from Foundation initiatives were once again crucial to the appeal, lending their time on the two designated matchdays to collect fans’ donations. From there, club partner DHL have supported with delivering coats to Foundation outreach areas. Both DHL and Foundation Presenting Partner DXC Technology also contributed to the appeal through staff donations. A huge thank you to our fans for once again supporting this initiative.

From the collection bins around Old Trafford to the drop-off points at over 70 of our Foundation partner schools, this year’s donated coats will again serve the most needy in our communities this winter

MUMSC support

We’d like to thank the Manchester United Muslim Supporters’ Club [MUMSC] for their recent support of the Foundation.

The MUMSC were another key part of the coat appeal, holding their own drive at Cheadle Masjid, where some members of the supporters’ club are also heavily involved, and they collected more than 350 coats which have since been redistributed by the Foundation to those in need.

Asif Mahmud, MUMSC chairman, said: “We’re really grateful to the local community and to our members for donating their coats. It’s very important that we support local

initiatives and that people know we are here to support them.”

MUMSC also recently competed in a unique charity match – bringing together supporters’ clubs from United and Chelsea, played at the London side’s Cobham training base.

The game was played in aid of three charities. The Foundation will receive a third of all funds raised, which so far totals more than £2,500.

Scan the QR code to support MUMSC’s fundraising ►

Phallon’s museum link-up

More than 200 young people from over 30 of Manchester United Foundation’s partner schools were joined by Phallon Tullis-Joyce for our first Eco Reds celebration of the 2025/26 season at Manchester Museum.

Through Eco Reds – which is a Players’ Project Pilot, supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association – we aim to give young people the knowledge and skills they need to protect the planet for future generations.

The Players’ Project Pilot aims to build stronger connections between players, communities and football clubs by putting players at the heart of local

projects that help to address important societal issues.

Phallon, a degree-educated marine biologist and certified deep-sea diver, who has previously led sessions at Stretford High School as part of this project, said:

“All the students have stepped up to the plate in learning about their ecosystems and sustainability, which showed today. It’s been really special and fun.”

United Women’s keeper Tullis-Joyce joins our invited guests at Manchester Museum for this season’s first Eco Reds celebration

Members of our Muslim Supporters’ Club gather for their fundraising charity match at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground

MUMSC members helped boost our coat appeal total with their own collection at Cheadle Masjid

Season 2024/25

517k+

total free-of-charge attendances at sessions and events

1,324 signed and charitable items distributed

£2.3m raised by fans and fundraising

125 unique participants projects

41% female participation

Find out more mufoundation.org/ourimpact

41,289

TIME TO SHINE!

We’ve scored 23 goals at Old Trafford against Bournemouth in our 11 home meetings to date. Here are all the goalscorers and the minutes in which they struck – who will be next to add their name and number to the list?

PREMIER LEAGUE

We look at the 10 pre-Christmas games on

the horizon this weekend...

Once again the Reds feature in the final fixture of a Premier League weekend, so by the time you read this most supporters of top-flight teams will be thinking ahead to the next run of games.

The 17th matchweek of the campaign will begin at 12.30pm on Saturday, when Newcastle host Chelsea – the Blues have struggled at St James’ Park in recent years, having lost their last three trips there in the league.

The 3pm kick-offs on Saturday are as follows: Bournemouth v Burnley, Brighton v Sunderland, Manchester City v West Ham, and Wolves v Brentford – whatever happens at Molineux the hosts will be bottom at Christmas, but a home win would give the fans a big lift.

At 5.30pm on Saturday it’s Tottenham v Liverpool – 10th v 11th place at the time of writing, with both sides having a stuttering start to the campaign.

The late games this Saturday, both at 8pm, will see Everton face Arsenal, while Leeds take on Crystal Palace at Elland Road.

Moving on to Sunday, there’s only one game – the small matter of Aston Villa v United, which gets under way at 4.30pm. Unai Emery’s Villans have been in fine form of late, but we’ve been hard to beat on the road. And then it’s next Monday night, and the final pre-Christmas fixture in the schedule: Fulham v Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage. Then we’ll see you back at Old Trafford on Boxing Day!

Two players lead the way for appearances and goals for United so far this season: Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo. Both have made 15 starts and one substitute appearance in 2025/26, with the Cameroonian leading the way with seven goals to the Portuguese’s four. Mason Mount and Casemiro are next (three each).

APPEARANCES

& GOALS, 2024/25 SEASON

APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2025/26 SEASON

CONTRIBUTORS

Ganley, Mikey Partington, Ben Ashby, Adam Marshall, Sean Mullan, Andy Murray, Matthew Brown, Ste Canavan

The recent return of Lisandro Martinez was a sight enjoyed by all United fans, with the Argentinian’s combative style being very much missed during his nine-month injury absence. He’s made three substitute outings since returning last month in our win at Crystal Palace, taking him to a career total of 94 Reds appearances.

2025/26 FIXTURES

Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police have very detailed emergency procedures and contingency plans in place to deal with any emergency scenario which might arise at the stadium. Part of these procedures can involve evacuation plans should such an eventuality be required. We strongly advise that should any unforeseen emergency incident develop then

FernandesDorgu MbeumoMount

FernandesDorguMbeumoMount CunhaDalot

Ugarte Dorgu Amad CunhaSesko

Fernandes 1 Dalot Mbeumo 1

FernandesDorguMbeumo

Fernandes 1 DorguMbeumo Amad Sesko

Fernandes Dorgu MbeumoCunha Sesko

FernandesDalot Mbeumo

Fernandes Dalot Mbeumo 1 Mount CunhaUgarte

FernandesDalot Mbeumo 2Cunha 1 Sesko

FernandesDalot MbeumoCunhaSesko Dorgu Mazraoui

FernandesDorgu Amad Mbeumo 1 Cunha Sesko

FernandesDorgu Amad Mbeumo

FernandesDalot Mbeumo

Fernandes Dalot 1 MbeumoCunha Zirkzee Yoro

Fernandes 2 Dalot Mbeumo 1 Mount 1 CunhaMartinez

stadium zone-by-zone basis. It may be that certain zones are affected by an incident but not others. In such an event our main attention will be focused on the zone concerned. If you hear an announcement in an area other than your own, you should ignore it and respond only to messages directed towards your section or by stewards. All spectators are asked to respond calmly and as quickly as possible to emergency directions. MATCHDAY TEXT SERVICE

Help tackle discriminatory or offensive behaviour inside Old Trafford by texting ACTION to 66777* followed by the STAND, ROW and SEAT of the offender and then the nature of the problem. Allow us to do the rest. *Texts are charged at the standard network rate. United

Which of these defenders made their Reds debut first?

We’ve got very high expectations here – so only 10/10 gets you a pass!

Who netted United’s winner against Manchester City exactly one year ago today?

Name the only current top-flight club against which United have played fewer Premier League games than we have against Bournemouth…

How many Premier League games do United have in December this season compared to last season?

Who was the last player to appear in a World Cup final while with the Reds?

Who scored United’s first Premier League goal against Bournemouth?

And in which year was that goal scored?

2015 OR

Bournemouth are the Cherries, but which former Premier League side were previously known as the Biscuitmen?

QPR READING OR

For how many full seasons was Sir Alex Ferguson in charge of United?

Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola was a club-mate of which former United star?

Fewer (6 v 7);

HARD: 6. Marouane Fellaini; 7. 2015; 8.

26; 10. Ander Herrera.

MANCHESTER UNITED 25/26 HOME JERSEY

Altay BAYINDIR (GK)

Diogo DALOT

Noussair MAZRAOUI

Matthijs DE LIGT

Harry MAGUIRE

Lisandro MARTINEZ

Mason MOUNT

Bruno FERNANDES

Matheus CUNHA

Joshua ZIRKZEE

Tyrell MALACIA

Patrick Chinazaekpere DORGU

L eny YORO

Bryan MBEUMO

Tom HEATON (GK)

Luke SHAW

Manuel UGARTE

Ayden HEAVEN

Benjamin SESKO

Senne LAMMENS (GK)

Chido OBI

Tyler FREDRICSON

Diego LEON

Kobbie MAINOO

Jack FLETCHER

LACEY

Dorde PETROVIC (GK)

Julian ARAUJO

Adrien TRUFFERT

Lewis COOK

Marcos SENESI

Julio SOLER

David BROOKS

Alex SCOTT EVANILSON

Ryan CHRISTIE

Ben GANNON-DOAK

Tyler ADAMS

Adam SMITH

Marcus TAVERNIER

Bafode DIAKITE

Justin KLUIVERT

Alex JIMENEZ

Amine ADLI

Eli Junior KROUPI

James HILL

Antoine SEMENYO

Enes UNAL

Owen BEVAN

Will DENNIS (GK)

Veljko MILOSAVLJEVIC

Matai AKINMBONI

Remy REES-DOTTIN