Manchester United v Arsenal PL match programme, 09.03.24

MANCHESTER UNITED

24/25 HOME JERSEY

“I cannot ask any more from you fans, who have been so loyal and supportive of me and the players”

Welcome back to Old Trafford for another

Ruben AMORIM

important game.

I know the history of this fixture between two of the great clubs in English football. We have a clear aim to get back to a world where we are competing at the top end of the Premier League, while being honest about where we are today.

It will take time to complete that journey, but we still have to fight for every point along the way, including the three available to us against Arsenal today as we welcome Mikel Arteta and his players to Old Trafford.

Of course, we were all disappointed to exit the FA Cup last Sunday, despite a performance against Fulham which had some positive aspects. Unfortunately, because of print deadlines I don’t know how our Europa League tie with Real Sociedad is balanced after the first leg. But, in any scenario, our aims remain the same: to get through this difficult season with as many wins as possible, and keep learning lessons that will help us in the long term.

We will all need faith and patience to work through the process of getting to where we want and need to be, and to stick together, especially through this difficult period.

Every game is a new opportunity to build our self-belief, to improve our present situation, and to show that we have the potential to do

much better in future. I cannot ask any more from you fans, who have been so loyal and supportive of me and the players since I arrived at the club.

I know you will get behind the team again this afternoon. Now it is our job to give you something in return.

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, Jean-Claude Blanc

Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards

Taking heart from the

CHANCE TO SHINE

The table shows a big gap between the Reds and the Gunners, but anything is possible when these two giants meet…

Today sees Old Trafford host a fixture that is always one of the biggest of any Premier League season: Manchester United v Arsenal.

Games between these two clubs defined large parts of the 1990s and 2000s in English football and, though our relationship has changed in the years since, these matches still carry a spicy kick. Perhaps there’s no longer the bitter jostling that characterised the Ferguson-Wenger years, famously embodied by the Darwinian midfield struggle between Keane and Vieira. But January’s epic FA Cup third-round tie – which 10-man United won on penalties – proved that dormant rivalries can erupt at a moment’s notice. Both clubs are in very different phases, with Arsenal straining to keep pace with league leaders

Liverpool in the upper reaches of the table, and United still searching for fluency and form in the nascent Ruben Amorim era.

For the Reds, the remainder of the season seems to be about three things. There’s the UEFA Europa League – our only realistic path to European football next season –which continues on Thursday evening, when we meet Real Sociedad for the second leg of our last-16 tie (this issue of UR went to print before the first leg). Then there’s the need to climb up the Premier League table. But lastly, there’s the opportunity to produce performances to build positivity for next season;

taking steps towards realising the future vision Ruben Amorim (below) has repeatedly shared. Arsenal at home is one of such opportunity. The Gunners blasted seven against PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday night but, deprived of leading forwards Havertz, Jesus, Martinelli and Saka, they have failed to find the net in their last two Premier League games. Of course, in the eyes of many they start today’s match as favourites but United can take heart from the most recent meeting between the teams. Let’s go one better today, and cheer the Reds on to a win in 90 minutes.

10-man defeat of Ipswich last time out in the Premier League, the Reds return to Old Trafford today seeking the same fighting spirit

April fixture adjustments

Four of United’s five Premier League fixtures in April have been adjusted, due to broadcaster input. Our trip to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday 1 April will start 15 minutes later, at 8pm. The following weekend, the 196th Manchester derby will get under way at 4.30pm on Sunday 6 April. Our away game at Newcastle starts at exactly the same time the weekend after that (Sunday 13 April), while the last change determines that we’ll now play Bournemouth at 2pm on Sunday 27 April. Our home match against Wolves (Saturday 19 April, 3pm) remains unchanged.

NEW CONTRACT FOR WHEATLEY

Academy graduate Ethan Wheatley has agreed a new deal with the club, which will keep him tied to United until 2028, with the option for a further year. Ethan joined the club at the age of nine, and famously became our 250th youth graduate when he came on against Sheffield United last April. Wheatley was also a key cog in the Under-18s’ successes last season. The young Reds won three trophies, with Wheatley scoring in the U18 Premier League national final and twice in the U18 Premier League Cup final against Manchester City.

2 BRUNO SCOOPS AWARD DOUBLE

Bruno Fernandes dominated Manchester United’s club awards for the month of February, winning both the Player of the Month award and the Goal of the Month prize. The Portuguese was up against Harry Maguire and Joshua Zirkzee for the first accolade, but was the clear winner, with 69 per cent of our vote, after claiming Man of the Match awards for our games against Everton and Ipswich. He provided assists for all three of our goals in the latter game, and both our efforts at Goodison also stemmed from Bruno set-pieces. His memorable free-kick against the Toffees – the first of our goals that day – was voted United’s Goal of the Month. Keep it going, skipper.

Our Stockport-born forward is joined at his new contract signing by Director of Academy Nick Cox

The Reds round off next month’s schedule with a visit to Bournemouth, with the game now moved to 27 April

An influential month from February’s standout star saw fans vote his free-kick against Everton as their favourite

ATTENDANCE: 73,827

RESILIENT REDS

Unrelenting United repress several bouts of adversity to come out on top of a frenetic Premier League battle with Suffolk side

Maguire meets Fernandes’s corner with a powerful header to give the Reds a lead we’d ultimately hold on to

United are back in Premier League action this afternoon, 11 days after our last outing in the competition: the rollercoaster 3-2 win over Ipswich Town here at the Theatre of Dreams.

Ruben Amorim’s Reds were fresh off fighting back from two goals down to draw at Everton four days earlier and were required to show that character and spirit again, as the Tractor Boys raced into an early lead on a soggy night in M16.

A flighted ball forward through the thick Manchester rain from Ipswich captain Sam Morsy was well watched by a covering Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, but our mid-season signing hadn’t seen Andre Onana rushing from his goal to retrieve possession and knocked the

ball past our goalkeeper, allowing the lurking Jaden Philogene to roll it into an empty net.

It was a dream start inside four minutes for Ipswich and their fans, visiting Old Trafford for the first time since 2015, but thankfully that lead was wiped out as the first half approached its midway point.

United’s two goals in the aforementioned stalemate at Everton had both come via Bruno Fernandes free-kicks, and it was the skipper’s set-piece quality that picked the lock once more on this occasion, as his whipped ball in from the left had enough pace on it to force Morsy to unintentionally nod it past goalkeeper Alex Palmer and into his own net.

MANCHESTER UNITED 3

Morsy (og) 22, De Ligt 26, Maguire 47

IPSWICH TOWN 2 Philogene 4, 45+2

United XI: Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro (Lindelof 90+3); Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes (c), Dorgu; Zirkzee (Eriksen 90+3), Garnacho (Mazraoui 45); Hojlund (Casemiro 66)

Booked: Hojlund, Zirkzee, Mazraoui, Yoro Sent off: Dorgu (43)

Unused substitutes: Graczyk, Harrison, Heaven, Obi

Less than five minutes later, another Fernandes set-piece caused havoc as United turned the game on its head to carve out a 26th-minute advantage. This time it was a corner from the right that was looped into the 18-yard area, with Palmer saving Maguire’s goalbound headed connection and a low follow-up strike from Diogo Dalot, before Matthijs de Ligt stabbed home his first Old Trafford goal from close range.

Captivating celebrations followed in front of the Stretford End and, after a difficult start, United were beginning to look confident and in control as the contest wound its way towards the half-time whistle.

But as Ipswich looked to score their own leveller three minutes from the break, momentum turned again. Dorgu’s attempt to win the ball off Omari Hutchinson by the left touchline saw him plant the studs of his right boot into the corresponding shin of the Chelsea Academy graduate, leading to him being shown a red card by referee Darren England, who had been advised to watch the incident back on the pitchside VAR monitor.

Ruben Amorim quickly shuffled his pack, sacrificing Alejandro Garnacho’s attacking

ingenuity for the more defensive equanimity of Noussair Mazraoui, but with the Reds looking to get into half-time to regroup, the visitors struck again to make it 2-2 in stoppage time.

Opening scorer Philogene was responsible once more, with his inswinging cross intended for Liam Delap evading the ex-Man City striker and leaving Onana – who was expecting a touch from the latter –with little time to adjust before it crept into the far bottom corner.

With a man advantage, Ipswich would have no doubt fancied their chances of a famous Old Trafford win as they re-emerged from the tunnel for the second half, but a pounding dagger was put through those hopes just two minutes after the restart, as Harry Maguire popped up to head home the game’s fifth – and eventually decisive – goal.

Again, it was a Fernandes corner, this time from the right, which was floated into the centre of the penalty area and after it was missed by

De Ligt, Maguire was there to power home and restore our lead in emphatic fashion.

It gave the buoyed-again Reds something to hold on to and, with the help of some stout backing from the home section inside the stadium, that mission was carried out successfully across the remaining 40 minutes or so.

Amorim’s team were well organised and gave little opportunity for Ipswich to grow in confidence, with a flashed shot off target from substitute Jack Taylor – which only briefly looked like forcing Onana into action – one of the better openings that the visitors were afforded.

That was a sign of the control United ultimately had on the contest. And a body-on-the-line block from captain Fernandes (left) to tame a strike from United Academy graduate Axel Tuanzebe, followed by a lung-busting 50-yard burst down the left flank by Mazraoui which nearly created a fourth home goal, epitomised the grit and determination on show from the Reds. It summed up a valiant performance in tough conditions and trying circumstances.

Four minutes after levelling at 1-1, the Reds rejoice again as De Ligt forges us in front

Dorgu is dismissed after a VAR review of his late first-half challenge on Hutchinson

Below: Zirkzee reacts to Morsy’s own goal as the Reds restablish themselves in the league contest

THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE DOING

UNITING PEOPLE GLOBALLY WITH THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY, EVERY DAY

Principal Partner of Manchester United

PARTNERS FOR BETTER EXPERIENCES AND A BRIGHTER TOMORROW

Manchester United and DXC Technology are building on a multi-year partner relationship in driving the club’s digital transformation and promoting the dreams of young people to build technical and social skills to enhance their future careers.

One of the first fruits of this partnership was enhancing the digital experience for United’s more than 1 billion fans and followers. Using data and analytics, DXC designed the official Manchester United fan app to create personalised engagements for users, maintain their loyalty and grow the fan base.

Subscribers can be served up more news and information about their favourite player or get a head start on predicting the winning game line-up in competitions with their friends, for example.

PUTTING DATA TO WORK

Furthering their goal of using data to drive better performances and fan experiences, on and off the pitch, DXC and United are focused on providing the right data to the right people at the right time to make informed decisions about critical business objectives. For example, tracking, event, training, player and competition data is ingested and analysed to help coaches make recruitment choices and improve player and team performance.

“Accurate data is so important,” said Crispen Shumba, head of data and operations at Manchester United. “We have to make sure that data is truthful because there are big decisions being made using it.”

UPSKILLING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE JOBS OF TOMORROW

Manchester United and DXC’s vision goes beyond delivering excellence for their fan base and customers. They are committed to making a difference in communities as well.

That’s why in 2023 DXC became the presenting partner of Manchester United Foundation, the associated charity of Manchester United, co-creating the Digital Futures Academy (DFA). The DFA is a four-year education programme for secondary school students that focuses on using technology to educate and inspire a new generation of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“We’re giving young people from the Greater Manchester area life-changing experiences,” said John Shiels, chief executive of Manchester United Foundation. “Through mentoring, personal development and practical sessions we are shaping tomorrow’s leaders.”

One of those future leaders is Evie, a student at Middleton Technology School, who is interested in robotics in healthcare, particularly around precision mixing of chemicals that create medicines. “I want to make the machines that help people get better,” she said. “Being here has just changed me quite a lot.”

PUTTING EQUALITY INTO ACTION

The gender gap in STEM fields is not just a challenge; it’s an opportunity to foster a more inclusive and equitable landscape.

That’s why, to coincide with International Women’s Day 2025, DXC and United are hosting roundtables with women CIOs and aspiring CIOs to discuss practical steps they can take to ensure that their organisations aren’t just talking about equality but actively

dxc.com/manutd to learn more about the DFA and DXC’s work with Manchester United Foundation.

WALKING TOGETHER

Three generations of Reds fans make their way to Old Trafford ahead of last Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Fulham. Ahead of them, as they walk down Partridge Street towards Railway Road, is the East Stand – allowing them to catch a first glimpse of the stadium on this matchday. Seeing the ground looming ahead is something that always pricks the excitement ahead of the game, especially if you’re a young supporter like the one pictured in the centre here. Our defeat on penalties meant that the game didn’t end as we hoped it would, sadly, but that’s the great thing about football; there’s always another game just around the corner. Indeed, this afternoon’s clash with Arsenal is the third of our four home games in 16 days (and our 23rd home fixture of the season overall) – with Real Sociedad due here in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Today, and later this week, fans will make the same walk as these here – different generations making one familiar journey.

BRUNO LEADS THE WAY

Though last Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Fulham ultimately ended in disappointment after a penalty shoot-out, the skipper again underlined his importance to the cause…

Fernandes continues his rich vein of goalscoring involvement by levelling the FA Cup tie with Fulham last weekend

In a nutshell...

Four days after playing a key part in the Reds’ victory over Ipswich Town with a major role in all three goals, Bruno Fernandes once again stepped up to the plate against Marco Silva’s Cottagers, hitting a superb equaliser, scoring his penalty in the post-match shoot-out and continuing his recent run of fine form.

Okay, give us more detail…

Ahead of Fulham’s visit to Old Trafford a week ago, a statistic which surfaced pre-match pointed out that the Reds’ previous six goals had all come either directly from, or arisen via, set-pieces supplied by United’s no.8. As such, when Calvin Bassey nodded the visitors ahead in the last knockings of the first half, all eyes unavoidably turned to Ruben Amorim’s skipper for the second half.

Unsurprisingly, Fernandes stepped up despite such pressure, hauling his side level 19 minutes from the end with a brilliantly measured left-footed finish inside Bernd Leno’s left-hand post at the Scoreboard End. As chances came and went for both sides throughout the remainder of normal time and 30 extra minutes, the United captain covered every blade of grass in search of victory. Though unable to prevent the tie parlaying into a

penalty shoot-out, Fernandes was the first man to step forward for the hosts, converting the Reds’ first penalty in typically nerveless fashion. Even though the visitors went on to book their place in the last eight of this season’s competition, ending United’s FA Cup defence, nothing more could have been asked of the Reds’ all-action captain.

What’s the significance?

“If you see the game, he is the guy that gives everything for the shirt and helping the others,” reflected Amorim, when asked post-match about his skipper’s contribution. In recent games, as well as providing a perennial goal threat in open play and from set-piece situations, the 30-year-old Portuguese playmaker has played a near-omnipresent role in midfield, dropping deeper to help lead and co-ordinate attacks. Though asking Fernandes to perform a wide variety of duties, Amorim insists his countryman can keep setting the standard for the whole squad.

“We need Bruno [deep] as he is the best player to do that,” explained the head coach. “I think, in other games, we have a lack of confidence to bring the ball forward. Bruno is the best one to do it at the moment. I’m trying to push Bruno to help the team, to bring the game to the last third of the opponents, that is the idea. He doesn’t like to lose, he wants to win, and that is perfect for our club.”

Left: The skipper continues to lead by example by giving his side a fighting chance when sweeping home midway through a delicatedly poised second half

Below: Amorim consults our influential no.8, knowing he has the kind of capabilities that can turn a game

And how did that go down?

“I think we controlled the game,” lamented Fernandes in his own post-match interview, focusing on the avoidable concession to Bassey as a turning point in the tie. “In one moment in the first half where we concede the goal, we talked about it during the week, that they do that in set-pieces. We should have been more aware of that.”

Nevertheless, when pressed on his own contribution on the night and in the previous games, Bruno shrugged off the accolades, preferring to look ahead to the remainder of the season in spite of the deflating nature of the FA Cup exit. “I think it [fighting spirit] has always been there but, obviously in [some] moments, you get goals, in others, you don’t,” he said. “Against Everton [where the Reds drew 2-2], it wasn’t enough to get the win. Against Ipswich [who were beaten 3-2], it was. Today was enough to get us into extra-time and then into penalties but they were more efficient than us. Unluckily for us, the dream of getting into the final at Wembley again is not there any more, but we need to keep pushing for what’s left of the season.”

THEATRE HEADING to the

UR recently joined Diogo Dalot in driving the route from Carrington to Old Trafford, with the Portuguese sharing his pre-match routine along the way…

When you are travelling to the game, do you have any rituals or superstitions you follow? Usually yes, especially at home games. Obviously, I try to arrive pretty much at the same time because I like to take a little bit of my time to sign for the fans. I usually like  to arrive 45 minutes, 50 minutes before the time that we’re supposed to be here, so I can spend a little bit of time also with the fans and then do my things in the dressing room.

We’ve noticed you’re someone who always stops for fans, which they clearly appreciate. How do you tend to feel as you’re heading to the game?

I quite like the drive from home to the stadium. I’m already thinking about what’s probably going

to happen in the game, so I try always to choose the right songs to give me positive energy, to feel energised for the game. It’s a little bit of your own time in there, in your own mind, thinking about the game and then thinking about what you can do – if you know already that you’re going to play, that is. But I try to have my mind focused on the game and I try to put myself into the mode.

Clearly music plays a part in your journey; do you see it as an important part of your preparation? Yeah, definitely. I think every football player likes to hear their own music. And in the dressing room, it’s me that puts the music on for everybody. I always try to make sure that everybody likes the songs that are going on. It’s a tough job, to be honest, but I try my best.

You’ve got a lot of different musical tastes  in the dressing room! Is the music up-tempo  to get you energised or is it something to chill you out and relax you?

It depends. I also try to feel the atmosphere a little bit. If I feel that the mood is quite comfortable or quite nice, people are in the same type of energy, then I just try to put the music that everybody likes and try to vary it a little bit as well.

“It’s quite a good moment for me to interact with the fans. It gives me energ y also when I come to the stadium and go to the dressing room”

for what they give us every single game. I mean, we don’t have a lot of time to interact with them because with big schedules, travelling all the time, even after the games, we don’t have too much time there on the pitch to interact with them. So, these little moments, for me, I think are important. And it’s also important for them. I always try to go to every game to sign some autographs, take some pictures, let them know that we also appreciate their support. And I hope they keep going with that.

They stand out there waiting in all kinds of weather, too…

Even when it’s raining I try to be there because it’s quite impressive [what they do]. I mean, the fans go there three or four hours before kick-off, so after that they still have to wait a few more hours for the game. They just go there with one purpose, just to see you, to have an When do you find out the line-up and does it play a part in your preparations on the day? It depends from manager to manager, to be honest. I’ve had everything, but this manager likes to let us know that before the game. So everybody goes home, already knowing what’s going to happen. Obviously, things can happen last minute, but usually when we arrive to the stadium we already know who’s going to play.

When you drive up to the stadium, how does it feel to see Old Trafford? When fans make  their pilgrimage to the Theatre of Dreams it’s always special, it makes you feel something… It’s a special feeling in terms of when I arrive – I know that there’s going to be already 200 or 300 people there waiting for us, to see us. And it’s quite funny to interact with the fans before the game, because you can have some of everything: you can have the people who are going to cheer you up. You can have the people that’s going to say, “come on guys, we need to do this, we need a little bit more”. Or you can have also the people that just want a photo or an autograph. So it’s quite a good moment for me to interact with the fans. It gives me energy also when I come to the stadium and go to the dressing room.

Is that the kind of thing which keeps you humble and grounded, that interaction with the fans, knowing what it means to them? It’s just trying to give them back a little bit

interaction with you. It’s something that doesn’t take me a lot of effort because I appreciate it, and I like to do it.

And then as you walk off, you’ve done your bit with the fans, you walk towards the players’ entrance. How do you feel as you walk into the ground?

Yeah, it becomes a routine. You just greet the same people that are there for you every game. It’s always familiar faces. So everybody’s making sure to give you a good energy, to give you a word of good luck for the game. Sometimes it can be easy for you to take that for granted, but you have to stop to appreciate those little moments from people that are working, and who want you to win. You can feel that there’s a very good energy inside the stadium, the people around it, and they just want this club to win – it’s really good to see.

Dalot talks UR through his pre-match routine (from the back seat!) as we head to the stadium

Arriving early to spend time with the fans and sign autographs is an important part of our no.20’s matchday

Greeting team-mates and creating some positive energy as kick-off fast approaches

You’ve said you’re someone who likes to visualise and put yourself in the match situation, imagining how moments might  go and how you might react to them… Yes, I’m like that. Every player is different. I have team-mates, they’re just not thinking about it until right before the warm-up. Myself, the day before the game, and especially in the morning, I always try to imagine a little bit, or recap a little bit, what we did to prepare for the game. I already start thinking about what can happen. What should I do to be in the best possible position to give my best for the team? And I take that time to start visualising what’s going to happen in the game.

When we see the pictures of the players together in the dressing room you can see the camaraderie. That must give you comfort, knowing that you can look around and see your friends there ready to go to battle for United?

Yeah, that’s what we try to build, obviously all the time. For you to be a good team, for you to have this good spirit, you have to create in these little moments something that will give you an assurance when you go on the pitch. You just stand by your team-mate.  You just play as a team. But obviously it’s something that

“That’s the beauty of Old Trafford. And the beauty of this club. That every time a fan comes here they just feel that this could be a day that something special can happen”

we still have to work to keep improving. And these little moments that you see, I think is just the tip of the iceberg.

Ultimately, it’s then down to you guys on the pitch once the match starts, but the whole staff plays its part in keeping you ready, energised and giving you extra motivation... They give us all the conditions to perform on the pitch. I mean, I think in the end we are the most responsible ones of putting joy to the faces of everybody that comes here and expects us to win. But I’ve said this many times, the best feeling that I can have every time I come to Old Trafford is that I feel that every supporter

comes here feeling that something special can happen. And that’s the beauty of Old Trafford. And the beauty of this club. That every time a fan comes here they just feel that this could be a day that something special can happen. And I think that’s enough motivation for you to come and play for the club.

We’ve seen a real fight among the team to improve results, to improve our position and to reward the fans for their brilliant support… Yeah, entirely. I mean, it’s hard when you work but you don’t get the reward that you are doing it for. But that’s a part of football also. So you need to grab these little moments of being a team, fighting for each other, fighting for the club. And then I think sooner or later things will start going towards the direction we want. We just need to really be a team in this moment.

Scan the QR code to activate the new shirt and open an immersive Snapdragon augmented reality experience that lets you enjoy wow-worthy content and exclusive opportunities to engage with the club.

ARSENAL

WITH JUST ONE POINT TO SHOW FROM THEIR LAST TWO LEAGUE

OUTINGS, THE GUNNERS HAVE FALLEN OFF THE TITLE PACE RECENTLY, BUT TUESDAY NIGHT’S INCREDIBLE RESULT IN EUROPE HAS CERTAINLY LIFTED THEIR MOOD...

Nickname: The Gunners

Founded: October 1886

Ground: Emirates Stadium (capacity 60,704)

Last season: Premier League, 2nd

Top achievements:

English league champions: 1930/31, 1932/33, 1933/34, 1934/35, 1937/38, 1947/48, 1952/53, 1970/71, 1988/89, 1990/91, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04

FA Cup winners: 1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020

League Cup winners: 1987, 1993 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1970 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup: 1994

NEED TO KNOW

Any team would struggle to replace the 39 goal involvements, creativity and relentless work rate that Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus provide, but Arsenal are doing their best to cover for their four injured first-choice forwards, while trailing Liverpool by 13 points at the Premier League summit ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures. Saka and Martinelli have been pencilled in for April returns and, though Havertz and Jesus are unlikely to feature again this season, restoring some cutting edge after the 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest 11 days ago – a third goalless display in four games in all competitions – will no doubt have been a priority for manager Mikel Arteta since that trip to the City Ground. So there were understandably strong celebrations when Jurrien Timber found the PSV net in Tuesday’s Champions League Roundof-16 first leg in Eindhoven – but even Arteta couldn’t have hoped for what followed, as his side proceeded to run out 7-1 winners.

Teenage winger Ethan Nwaneri’s devilish dribbling from the right seems to step up from game to game, and he was on target at PSV, as was Mikel Merino – the midfielder adapting well as a makeshift centre-forward-cum-false-nine, starting with a two-goal cameo to see off Leicester in mid-February. Skipper Martin Odegaard was the star of the show in midweek, however, with two goals plus an assist serving as reminders of his attacking threat from deep.

The rout also provided more evidence of how the Gunners are fine frontrunners – it was the

TACTICS BOARD

sixth time this season in which they’d go on to win by at least five goals after netting first. But finding that initial inspiration against low-block rearguards eluded them in the recent 1-0 loss

The 4-3-3 formation without the ball is an Arteta staple, but it’s when Arsenal have it that things get a bit funky. Whether Jorginho or Thomas Partey, the deepest midfielder drops in between William Saliba and Gabriel to form a back three set up to repel counterattacks, with full-backs Timber, who has recovered from ACL surgery impressively this term, on the right and Riccardo Calafiori or Myles Lewis-Skelly on the left inverting into central areas to add a further layer of protection just in front. That leaves a front five to get creative. Nwaneri has helped replace the injured Saka’s five goals and 10 assists cutting inside from the right wing, while captain Odegaard excels at finding half-spaces between opposition full-backs and centre-backs in inside-right channels. Merino combines a velvet touch and appreciation of space with aerial prowess to attack crosses as a makeshift centre-forward, with the team’s every rotation, pass and take-on done at tempo to destabilise defences.

Latest news from the Gunners’ camp, plus profiles and tactics

to West Ham and 0-0 draw with Forest. “We lacked the spark, that final pass to unlock a well-organised team,” said Arteta following the Forest result. “But we dominated and had more shots on target.”

dangerous at dead balls

Before that West Ham result, the Gunners had gone 15 league games without defeat as Arteta steers his side through a title race for the third campaign running. As well as relying on the top flight’s meanest defence at the time of writing, they have an especially strong record against teams in the bottom half, against whom only Liverpool have racked up more points. The next step – having drawn with Liverpool, Forest, Manchester City, Chelsea and Brighton already this season – is to start turning these one-point gains against top-half teams into three-point ones.

The Basque boss has demanded high standards since returning in 2019 to the club he served for five years as a player, his meticulous approach defined by attention to dead-ball detail. Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover’s inventive routines have put pressure on opposition keepers this season, although there’s been a slight drop-off as teams start to get wise to such attacking methods.

Crucially, as the north Londoners seek a first championship in over two decades, Arteta recently insisted his side will give up “over my dead body” in the league. He continued: “If not, I’ll go home. Mathematically, it’s possible.”

Tuesday’s game at PSV was Arsenal’s biggest away win in European Cup/Champions League history

SET-PIECE TAKER

Declan Rice

Mikel Arteta was determined to sign Rice in the summer of 2023, not only for the former West Ham captain’s lung-bursting midfield dynamism and leadership skills but the 26-year-old’s dead-ball prowess. No Premier League player has taken more corners this season than the England anchor man, whose whipped delivery is central to Arsenal’s set-piece mastery and has helped to deliver five league assists. Superb in transition, Rice’s consistency is the bedrock of Arteta’s side.

SPEEDY STOPPER

David Raya

Raya’s route to the elite may be circuitous, featuring a loan at non-league Southport a decade ago, but the 29-year-old has now established himself as one of the best sweeper-keepers around. Only Nottingham Forest custodian Matz Sels has kept more Premier League clean sheets this season than the Spaniard’s 10, while the 0.85 goals Raya concedes on average per 90 minutes is a top-flight best. With his 2023/24 loan from Brentford made permanent at the beginning of this season, the keeper admitted to “an adaptation year” at the Emirates but the Barcelona native’s stellar form at the back-end of last term, along with Aaron Ramsdale’s summer exit to Southampton, have resulted in a confidence-boosting campaign. A fine shot-stopper blessed with impressive agility, Raya dominates with his feet to the extent he is almost an 11th outfielder, and he even hit a top speed of 32.7kph in sprinting past James Ward-Prowse, having gone up for a corner against West Ham last month. “You don’t come here for the runaround and the kickabout,” he said recently. “You fight for trophies and to give happiness to the fans.”

TEEN FORWARD

Ethan Nwaneri

Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history when making his senior Arsenal debut, aged 15 years and 181 days, in September 2022 against Brentford, but it’s this season that the England U19 international has become a first-team regular amid the injury-enforced absence of Bukayo Saka. A left-footed right-winger in the mould of his fellow academy graduate, the 17-year-old has four goals and an assist since the turn of the year, including the winner in the Gunners’ come-from-behind Champions League win in Girona.

THE SQUAD GOALKEEPERS

DEFENDERS

MIDFIELDERS

FORWARDS

PLAYER

This 242-fixture rivalry has seen a lot, especially in recent decades: there’s David Rocastle’s 1987 kick-out; there’s Nigel Winterburn’s mocking of Brian McClair’s missed FA Cup penalty the following year; there’s the 21-man October 1990 brawl. Then came Arsene Wenger’s 1996 arrival, leading to Marc Overmars and Sylvain Wiltord’s effectively title-winning goals at Old Trafford, Ryan Giggs’s semi-final genius in ’99 (right), Martin Keown and Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 12-month enmity ending in ‘Pizzagate’, followed by Roy Keane’s tunnel promise to Patrick Vieira to “see you out there” in the 2005 Highbury return. United v Arsenal: as electrifying as it is fierce.

Classic picture

United’s 1971/72 season began against Arsenal in unusual circumstances, to say the least, with the Reds ordered to play our first two games away from Old Trafford following hooliganism in the previous campaign. For Frank O’Farrell, it meant a first home game as our new manager not in M16... but Liverpool L4, with Anfield the venue on 20 August 1971 as Bertie Mee’s Gunners made the long journey north. Ahead of the league game in Merseyside, plenty of youngsters clearly thought they’d make the most of this unusual day trip, jumping the fence and running onto the pitch – and this beleaguered bobby had clearly had enough of it by the time he got hold of this fan! Thankfully the strange surroundings didn’t seem to adversely affect O’Farrell’s side, who fought back from an early goal from Frank McLintock to win 3-1 (Brian Kidd, Bobby Charlton and Alan Gowling all scoring) in front of 27,649 fans. Our next ‘home’ game was played at Stoke’s Victoria Ground – curiously another 3-1 win, this time against West Brom – before it was all back to Old Trafford for the rest of the season. Despite being top at Christmas, we’d slip to eighth by season’s end, three places behind Arsenal.

→ If we win today, it’ll be a 100th victory in our history against the Gunners, who are also comfortably the Reds’ most-faced opponents, with this afternoon being game no.243. The only team we’ve beaten more? Aston Villa (106). Everton (96) and Tottenham (95) aren’t too far behind, mind...

→ Despite us having the upper hand on previous clashes, the Reds have never beaten Arsenal in a final, losing both FA Cup finals in which we’ve met. The 1979 showpiece was the most memorable, as Gordon McQueen and Sammy McIlroy drew us level from 2-0 down with four minutes to play, only for Alan Sunderland to bag an 89th-minute winner for Arsenal – the epic tie became known as the ‘five-minute final’.

→ No Red has scored more goals in this fixture than Wayne Rooney (right), whose 12 goals came in 30 matches. Jack Rowley is next (10), with Cristiano Ronaldo on nine.

→ The Reds’ 8-2 shellacking of the Gunners in August 2011, 10 years after a 6-1 Old Trafford hammering in another famous Ferguson v Wenger clash, was the north Londoners’ worst league defeat since a 7-0 defeat to West Ham in March 1927.

Unlocking the power of pitches

The Football Foundation is the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s charity. We award grants and work with partners to deliver outstanding grassroots football facilities across England.

Search Football Foundation to find out more

WE ALL FOLLOW

UNITED!

Mazraoui discusses football and faith

Nous caught up with our first official Muslim supporters’ club back in February

Noussair Mazraoui met with Manchester United’s Muslim Supporters’ Club at Old Trafford last month, where the Morocco defender took part in a discussion that covered football and faith.

Our Muslim supporters’ club was launched in August of last year, and is a non-geographical union which connects fans of the same faith across the world. Its formation followed a series of initiatives developed by the club during recent years, such as the adoption of inter-faith rooms at Old Trafford, new prayer rooms at Carrington, and the first Iftar meal held for staff and players during Ramadan.

The meeting with Mazraoui touched upon some of the issues related to those initiatives, as the player shared some of his own experiences and explained how his Muslim faith guides him through life as a professional footballer.

“Never lose sight of your dreams and never lose faith in your prayers,” Nous told the 20 Reds in attendance. “If you do something good and see the pride of your family, that is something that gives your heart a nice feeling.”

Ramadan, which started on Friday 28 February and will conclude on Sunday 30 March, was also a big topic during the conversation. “It was really nice to meet him,” said the supporters’ club’s co-founder and secretary, Asif Mahmud. “He was such a humble guy and came across really well. It helps us to connect with him, and also [helps] those who

aren’t of faith to understand his vision and what his belief system is. He went into a lot of detail and that was really nice of him.

“We haven’t been established that long but the club has been really willing to work with us,” continued Asif.

“We have been really grateful for the effort the club has made with us, which is above and beyond what we expected. United has only done good things for us in this short space of time.”

For more information, visit mumsc.org

Formed at the start of this season, the Muslim supporters’ club were delighted to meet Mazraoui last month when the defender sat down to talk about his own beliefs (below)

SEASON 2024/25

“I LOVE THE DAY AT UNITED. I’VE MADE MANY FRIENDS”

The fan in our latest United Review ‘handshake’ illustration (above) is Sophie Constable, a loyal Red who is part of our MUDSA hardcore...

Like many Reds of her generation, Sophie Constable’s love affair with Manchester United began thanks to the inspirational, charismatic impact of a French vagabond.

Now 34, and a season ticket holder – not to mention an integral part of the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association –Sophie still nominates Eric Cantona as her favourite United player of all time. And UR is in no mood to quibble with that selection.

“The reason I started supporting Manchester United was because, before I started supporting United, I really liked Eric Cantona,” she told UR, when we caught up with her last week. “He was just one of the best midfielders and forwards ever, and I liked him a lot. He’s the best legend ever at Old Trafford. I really liked some parts of his personality, but I preferred his goals and assists. We could do with them now!”

Sophie even used Eric’s famous ‘ooh, aah Cantona’ chant to help her learn words and sounds during speech therapy as a youngster. And it wasn’t long before she started going to matches, around the age of 11. “We got into the stadium and Sophie looked around and said:

‘I really want to meet the players!” chuckles her mum, Marian. “A bit pushy, I thought! But at half-time Ann Marie [Lewis, MUDSA Family Events Organiser] came around, giving out applications for the MUDSA Christmas Party. So she was up there that December, meeting them all.”

“It was ages ago, but I think I met David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, both the Nevilles, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,” confirms Sophie. “They were really good to speak to about football.”

The impressive name-dropping doesn’t stop there either. Sophie once even had the immense privilege of a private meeting with then manager Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of a game against Bolton.

“He’s so nice. A really nice man,” she remembers. “I had a meeting with him in his office. I didn’t realise he would be so nice and kind – such a lovely man and so genuine. He’s the best manager in the Premier League, ever. Was I nervous? No! I had a list of questions ready with me. I think one of them was: ‘What’s the line-up?’ And he gave it us!”

She also trained at The Cliff, where the coaches compared her to the great Brazilian, Ronaldinho, due to her enthusiasm for a backheel. And she still loves to play nowadays, especially with her nephew, Joshua, in the back garden. But despite her many encounters with some of United’s true legends, and

Sophie, star of our latest handshake illustration, meeting current club skipper Fernandes

“I LIKE ALL THE PLAYERS. ERIC WOULD STILL BE MY FAVOURITE OF ALL TIME, AND THE BEST GOALKEEPER OF ALL TIME IS DAVID DE GEA. BUT MY FAVOURITE PLAYER AT THE MOMENT IS HARRY MAGUIRE. I LIKE HIM A LOT”

the amazing places she has been to (the Champions League final in Moscow her undoubted favourite), Sophie’s highest praise is reserved for the people she spends each matchday with: the staff and people at Hotel Football beforehand, those in MUDSA’s Ability Suite and the fellow Reds that sit near her in East Stand at every match.

“I do love the day at United, at the stadium. I’ve made many friends in my time. I’m the oldest now, I think!” she jokes. “I like Nathaniel [Yates, fellow MUDSA member] a lot as a person. We get on really well, though I’m a bit older than him. He’s very nice. And I know Alex [Nield] really, really well.

“I like all the players too,” she continues. “Eric would still be

my favourite player of all time, and the best goalkeeper of all time is David De Gea. But my favourite player at the moment is Harry Maguire. I like him a lot. My favourite three would be Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen. But we just have to work on the football.”

Few could argue with that assessment, after United’s season so far. But Sophie’s lifelong support of the club, her passion for making the long journey from Hertfordshire countless times each season, and her love for her match-going friends, is a reminder that being a United fan is about so much more than results.

Left: Sophie’s years of following United has afforded her many encounters with legendary Reds, from Sir Alex Ferguson and Denis Law, to David De Gea, Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney

Below: Meeting former goalkeeper Sergio Romero and current first-team favourite Harry Maguire, plus women’s team star Ella Toone (bottom)

Sophie in Moscow, scene of our 2008 Champions League win and a trip the MUDSA member lists as her favourite

Over 70 years on from his first game with friend ‘Wally’ and his dad, United-mad Bob still loves an Old Trafford visit, with him joining UR recently for a fascinating chat (left)

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME?

A poem sent to us from Salfordian Red Bob Farrell nails the beautiful connection between football and friendship...

Does anyone forget the overwhelming magic of their very first football match? UR will wager that everyone inside Old Trafford today, young and old, will have their own moving coming-of-age tale. And while your memory still functions, the power of that first encounter flickers like a fire inside of you.

All that came home to us last month, when we received a poem written by Salfordian United fan Bob Farrell. In ‘My Thanks to Wally and His Dad’, Bob recounts his own first game: the Charity Shield of 1952, when United played Newcastle here. A 5.15pm kick-off on a Wednesday night in September, with just 11,381 watching amid the fading early-autumn light.

“Football is everything to me,” explains Bob, as UR speaks to him on a recent visit to Old Trafford. “It brings back all these memories.”

That’s so clear from Farrell’s vivid poem (right), which perfectly evokes the buzz of a first Old Trafford experience, and the lifelong love it can engender.

“The title is based on my friend, Wally,” shares Farrell. “Though ‘Wally’ is not his name, actually! His name was Steve, but his mother’s surname was Wallace, so all his life we called him ‘Wally’. His dad said: ‘Do you want to bring a friend?’ He must have asked me in the playground. We’d probably been talking about Old Trafford, and he’d probably been speaking to his dad about

Bob and lifelong friend Wally as altar boys on the Whit Walk in Salford

it. I remember him saying his dad would pay for me, because I had no money. But I had to ask my mum, of course. My own dad wouldn’t finish work until six o’clock, and he worked a long way away at the time. I can still see it... it had such a big effect… the pitch was just beautiful.”

The game didn’t just cement Bob’s passion for United, but also his brotherhood with Wally, who sadly died last year after seven decades of friendship. “He was like me: football-mad! He finished up refereeing,” notes Bob. “He was a good friend. I’ll get upset in a bit! Because he’s gone, I feel a bit sentimental... we were close.”

The poem also reveals, somewhat obviously, Bob’s love for words and poetry. But it’s only in recent years that he’s felt confident enough to start sharing what he has produced throughout his life. He admits that, where he came from –the Sutton Flats Estate in Salford – it was simply not the done thing for lads of his generation.

“Of my close mates, none of them know I’ve done two books [of poetry],” he confesses. “But it’s got to come out! Maybe if this gets in the programme, it might be the breakthrough!

“Over a long time I’ve written bits,” reveals Farrell. “It’s only the last couple of years I’ve gathered it all together and started writing again. We lost our daughter, Heather, three-and-a-half years ago. As a distraction, I was finding writing poetry was helping me a lot. So I pushed on

and did more and more and more. When you go to bed at night you think of your poetry and your next line – instead of my daughter [and her passing] – and it helped me tremendously. Poetry is massive to me now. It’s something to look forward to, because at my age, you don’t have as much to look forward to.”

Throughout our conversation, and throughout the book of poems Bob hands UR, the value of sport and creativity – whether music, poetry or whatever – is made fiercely clear. These are the things that enrich our lives, consoling us and uplifting us when we need it most. Just read Bob’s poem and you’ll see what we mean…

MY THANKS TO WALLY AND HIS DAD

In 1952 as a nine-year-old lad, Wally asked me, did I want to go a football match, with him and his dad?

“What match would that be?” I asked, rather excited. He said, “Man U versus Newcastle United. It’s at Old Trafford tomorrow night. Starts at five fifteen cos they have no lights”. “I’ve got no money Wally,” I had to say. To which he replied, “My dad will pay”.

I asked my mam could I go, Knowing quite well she wouldn’t say no. Then after school the following day, Wally, his dad and I got on our way.

Up to Broad Street where we caught the match bus, A tanner paid for the three of us.

On to Cross Lane then up Trafford Road, The bus was carrying the maximum load. Thousands of fans were going to the ground, There was hustle and bustle with excitement abound.

Wally and I were engulfed by the crowd, “Get your programmes here!” someone shouted out loud. We were two little boys making our way to the match, Holding hands so not to get unattached. At the ground the children had their own turnstile, Where they all queued up in a single file.

Wally’s dad gave us money and ushered us through, Constantly saying, “Keep together, you two.”

Up the stairs and into the stands we went, Like little lost sheep going where we were sent. Wondering how we were ever going to see, For both of us were only four foot three. But Wally’s dad knew exactly what to do, He led us down to the front for a better view, Where we looked out with admiration, at a field of green, With white lines and short grass, which looked so pristine. A brass band was playing on the far side of the ground, But the commotion of the crowd stifled their sound.

A giant scoreboard showed the names of the two teams to play, That vision still excites me, even to this day.

There was a roar from the crowd as the teams came on the field, They were ready to compete for the Charity Shield. At half-time Newcastle were one-nil up, They were a good team who had just won the FA Cup. But Manchester United had won the league title this same year, And proved to the crowd they had nothing to fear. They went on to win the game 4-2,

And Wally and I watched it from a pitch-side view.

We’ve followed United from then to this day, Except on the Saturdays when we both used to play. Wally finished up refereeing to stay in the game, Whilst at the age of 32 my legs went lame.

Yes, Wally and I stayed friends for life, Well, for 71 years to be precise.

Me always recalling that special day that I had, When I first went to Old Trafford with Wally and his dad.

Bob Farrell

The talented poet with daughter Samantha and wife Renée

Alongside grandsons Evan (left) and Dan, as a love of football envelops the Farrell family tree

Left: Bob’s poem in full, which recounts – in beautiful verse –his first-ever visit to Old Trafford, and his most recent collection of poems (below), which he gifts to his friends and family

MESSAGES for matchday

SHOUT-OUTS!

Happy 60th birthday, Craig! Love from Shona, Nathan, Sarra, Glen and Ali.

Happy anniversary, Aysha Elizabeth Jamie O’Brien. Love from Steve, Loki and Peaches.

Many happy returns, David Cooper, and have a great birthday.

Happy birthday, Charlotte Rathband.

Welcome to your first game at Old Trafford, Zac and Zoe Bowe. Have a brilliant trip!

Happy 17th birthday, James Buckley. Hope you have a great time. Love Mam, Dad and Sheana.

Happy 14th birthday to Kian, who is at Old Trafford today with his dad. It’s Kian’s first time watching the team he’s supported all his life, so here’s to an amazing experience.

Many happy returns to David Gerrard for his 80th birthday. He’s been attending games with son Ian for around 40 years, and they’re here again today to celebrate.

A very happy 12th birthday to Kyle Bowes, here today from Ireland with mum Melanie-Jane.

Stephen Bisset is pictured with grandsons Cade Kilgore (left) and Hudson Craig (right), born on 22 May and 22 August respectively. Stephen has travelled over from the USA for today’s game, and hopefully Cade will be here, too, for his first game. Enjoy!

‘Happy 55th birthday to Dimitar Dimitrov! Enjoy every moment of this special day, surrounded by the team and sport you love. With all our love, your family.’

Happy seventh birthday for 8 March to Teddy, pictured here at last season’s FA Cup final with Fred the Red.

‘Happy 10th birthday, Jack! A true Red through and through – your passion for United and football inspires us all. Keep dreaming big. Love from all of us.’

a happy 12th birthday to

Welcoming Ruairi, 10, to the Theatre of Dreams. Have a brilliant day at the game!

Aodhàn Moone, 12, has been attending games at Old Trafford since he was a young child. He’s here again today from Northern Ireland with dad Dominic.

Wishing

Alex. Love from Dad.

A very happy 70th birthday to Mike Walters for 26 March. He’s a passionate Red and platinum season ticket holder, and hasn’t missed a single home game since 1974 – an amazing achievement! With lots of love from Christine and all his United friends in the East

Happy birthday to Rio Foxcroft (left) – 10 today! He’s pictured here with his big brother, Rooney. Good names for Reds!

Happy birthday to Brett for today, and also to son Leo, who will be six on 20 March. They have been going to loads of games recently and love spending time together at Old Trafford.

Happy 50th birthday, Joseph Prunty. We hope you enjoy your visit from Armagh. Lots of love from Claire, Emily and Sophie.

Happy first birthday to Nolan Beckham. He enjoys watching games in the living room while playing with his toys. One day, we will see a game in person to celebrate your birthday! Love, Dad.

A very happy seventh birthday

Enjoy your special day at Old Trafford with

Wishing a happy 16th birthday to Logan Woodroofe.

Happy birthday, James and Merilin!

A big welcome to Eoghan Campbell and his dad, Hugh. It’s Eoghan’s first time here to watch the team he loves.

A very happy birthday to Neil Devereux, as well as grandsons Jayden and Luke. Neil is a huge fan, particularly of Eric Cantona. We hope you all have a great day watching United at Old Trafford.

Happy 40th birthday, David Hason. Let’s go, Reds!

Happy 64th birthday, Peter Temple! He’s been a season ticket holder for more than 20 years and will, hopefully, be celebrating his birthday today with a win against Arsenal. Lots of love from Maria, Thomas and Yolanda.

Congratulations, Joseph Lamb, on graduating from University of North Carolina!

‘Happy 13th birthday, Caylan Bright. Hope you have the best day ever. Love you loads, Mum and Lyla.’

Happy 30th birthday for today to Jordan McIlheron from Swindon. Enjoy the match!

Happy 24th birthday, Matthew. Lots of love, Órla.

Stand.

Happy birthday to Aiden Easter! Have a great day. Love Erin.

A very happy seventh birthday to Tiime Dykes from Scotland.

‘Wishing Kay a happy 40th. Love your woman, Em.’

to Maxim Mckoy!

Daddy. Lots of love, Mummy, Cat, Mara and Daddy.

A WORLD UNITED

Happy birthday to Conor Clancy, attending today’s match on his 11th birthday. Love from Mam, Dad, Anna and all his friends in Ireland.

Wishing a happy 40th

Manchester United Women season ticket holder Dewi is here celebrating his 13th birthday with his

Happy seventh birthday, Charlie Thompson. Have a great first time at the

Also here are Simon’s brother, Ryan, and his wife, Rachael. All are hoping for a great weekend and a United victory.

Happy seventh birthday to Kinana Nurbhai, and many happy returns also to Hussain Nurbhai, who is turning 39.

Happy 18th birthday to George Corrie, who is today celebrating his birthday in the hospitality lounge.

Wishing a very happy eighth birthday to huge United fan Hayden Jones. He’s here today celebrating with dad Gary, mum Keirra, uncle William and grandad Stephen.

A very happy 14th birthday for this weekend to Conor McLoughlin.

Birthday shout-out to Curtis McCullagh, who turned nine on 8 March and is here today for a birthday treat.

Robbie Symington turns 21 on 5 March. Wishing him a great day, love from Mum,

Happy 14th birthday to Leon Itoya, pictured here with his family. Enjoy the game, Leon!

Happy 17th birthday to Joshua King (pictured at his first game here at Old Trafford). All the best!

Wishing Rían Shanahan, a huge United supporter from Ireland, a very happy 10th birthday.

birthday, to Michael! Enjoy the match. Love you loads, Rachel.

dad.

A warm welcome to the Weir family – Simon, Rena, Daniel, Christopher and Zara (pictured) – from Omagh today.

Wishing a happy 14th birthday to Dexter Ekins. Enjoy the game!

Theatre of Dreams.

Dad, Jake, Joe and Romy.

‘To Joe Sumberg (aka BB): Happy 16th birthday from Mum and Dad. We love you loads. Big up the Reds.’

‘Happy 11th birthday, Dolly (middle). Hope you have the best birthday. Lots of love, Mum, Dad, Bear and Tiger.’

‘In loving memory of our beloved Thomas Alfie Edwards, who was a huge Manchester United supporter. Born on 05.11.13 with congenital heart disease, Thomas had a heart transplant aged two. He was a kind, funny and brave boy, who lived his life to the full but tragically passed away on 23.08.24 while waiting for a second transplant at just 10 years old. In his short life, Thomas visited Old Trafford on many occasions to do the stadium tour and watch matches. As a talented young artist, he enjoyed painting his favourite players, including Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, and the British Heart Foundation has gone on to support his legacy through his artwork. Enjoy kick-ups with the angels, Tom. Deeply missed by Mum, Dad, Daisy, family and friends.’

Logan is celebrating his 12th birthday today and is attending the game with his big brothers, Joe and Harry.

IN MEMORIAM

John Derek Charles was a lifelong Red; a born and bred Mancunian. John shared his love for the game with his three sons, taking them to watch United no matter what. He also arranged and attended countless book signings with United legends. Sadly, John passed away aged 64 on 15 October 2024 after complications from a heart attack. He will be remembered for his incurable nervous leg, which was only evident at Old Trafford!

‘In memory of Michael Serridge (14.02.63-29.01.25), who was on the club’s books as a talented no.7 over three seasons from 1980-83. He was a lifelong Red as well as a genuine, funny, caring man, and our loss is heartbreaking. He was much loved and will be sadly missed by his beautiful wife, family and friends.’

Happy 40th birthday, Jamie! We hope you have the best time. Much love, the Hideaway Reds.

Ronny Siddall was born on 02.11.48 and saw his first match with his brother, Eric, in the Stretford End in February 1959, when we beat City 4-1. Ron continued to support United all his life but sadly passed away on 14.02.25. His knowledge of football was amazing, and he could quote scores from years ago. Ron will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Peadar passed away suddenly on 14.01.24 at the age of 34. He was a lifelong United supporter and had been to a number of games at Old Trafford over the last couple of years. He was also a member of the Craigavon supporters’ club and his favourite current player was Alejandro Garnacho. All who knew him will be partaking in a minute’s applause in the 34th minute of today’s game in his memory. Rest in peace, Peadar.

FOR THE CLUB

#11 Joshua zirkzee

#8 Bruno Fernandes

DEAD-BALL WIZARDS

After Bruno Fernandes bagged his second top-flight set-piece at Goodison Park, United Review runs through the Reds’ all-time leading direct free-kick scorers in the Premier League era…

BRUNO FERNANDES :

2

TECHNIQUE: Reading the goalkeeper.

FIRST: United 5 Bournemouth 2, 4 July 2020. In an absorbing mid-pandemic game, Fernandes already had two assists to his name in helping the Reds into a 4-2 lead. With just over half-an-hour remaining, the Portuguese magnifico –making just his 14th appearance for the club – rounded off the scoring with a sublime set-piece from inside the penalty arc. With goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale situated centrally, Bruno whipped a stunning effort across the wall, through a crowded area and just inside the goalkeeper’s right-hand post.

MOST RECENT: Everton 2 United 2, 22 February 2025. Netting United’s most recent Premier League free-kick, the skipper once again used the goalkeeper’s positioning to his advantage. Spotting Jordan Pickford shifting towards the area already covered by his wall, Fernandes planted a fine effort across goal and into the far corner, sparking a late, point-saving comeback for Ruben Amorim’s Reds.

TRIVIA: Bruno’s effort at Goodison made him the first United captain to bag a Premier League free-kick since Juan Mata’s late set-piece winner while skipper against Watford in March 2016.

Hargreaves celebrates his downing of the Gunners in April 2013, doubling his free-kick tally just a month on from his first

OWEN HARGREAVES : 2

TECHNIQUE: Up, then down.

FIRST: Fulham 0 United 3, 1 March 2008.

As Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering side strode down the home straight of an unforgettable Double-winning season, Owen Hargreaves’ positional versatility would prove key. Unveiling yet another string to his bow, he also demonstrated his dead-ball prowess to break the deadlock at Craven Cottage. With just quarter-of-an-hour on the clock, the England international took aim from the dead centre of goal, 20 yards out, caressing his effort over the wall and down into Antti Niemi’s bottom corner.

LAST: United 2 Arsenal 1, 13 April 2008. As the Gunners were seen off in the title race, Hargreaves once again used the element of disguise. With all eyes on Cristiano Ronaldo, United’s no.4 quickly executed a two-step run-up and curled a stunning finish over the wall and into the bottom corner of the Stretford End net to tie up a priceless victory.

TRIVIA: Owen is the only player in United history whose career goals tally is comprised entirely of Premier League free-kicks.

12

JUAN SEBASTIAN VERON : 2

TECHNIQUE: Ferocity with accuracy.

FIRST: United 1 Bolton Wanderers 2, 20 October 2001. In the absence of David Beckham, rested and watching from the stands, summer signing Juan Sebastian Veron, making his 12th outing after becoming the Reds’ club-record recruit, finally got a shot at a free-kick situation. Though the odds were stacked against him, the Argentina star took aim from 30 yards, backing himself by rifling a curling effort high towards the Scoreboard End. As clean a hit and as perfect a blend of curve and ferocity as Old Trafford has seen, the ball hurtled past Jussi Jaaskelainen, breaking the deadlock emphatically.

LAST: United 3 West Ham 0, 14 December 2002. Such were the riches at Sir Alex Ferguson’s disposal, that Veron would once again have to wait for Beckham’s absence before getting another stint of dead-ball duty. This time, the Reds’ no.4 opted to whip his 25-yarder effort across goal, clearing the end of the West Ham wall and violently dipping his shot past the dive of goalkeeper David James. From the bench, Beckham pointedly applauded, game very publicly recognising game.

TRIVIA: Such was Beckham’s dominance of the set-piece scene at United, that Veron’s effort against Bolton broke a run of 15 successive Premier League free-kicks scored by the Reds’ no.7.

Veron unleashes his whipped effort into the West Ham goal in December 2002

DENIS IRWIN : 3

TECHNIQUE: Whip and dip.

FIRST: United 3 Middlesbrough 0, 27 February 1993. Setting the (dead) ball rolling with United’s first free-kick in the Premier League era, multi-purpose full-back Irwin put the Reds two goals clear with a crisp near-post effort which dipped low inside goalkeeper Stephen Pears’s right-hand post.

LAST: United 3 Crystal Palace 0, 19 November 1994. Our no.3’s third and final free-kick came with a helping of good fortune as his effort spun off the wall and into an untended Stretford End goal to break the deadlock against the Eagles.

GREATEST HIT: Liverpool 3 United 3, 4 January 1994. An all-time classic free-kick emblazoned with Irwin’s singular brilliance, as his 25-yarder fizzed remorselessly against Bruce Grobbelaar’s stanchion to stun Anfield in a thrilling encounter.

TRIVIA: Until Juan Sebastian Veron’s effort against Bolton in 2001, Republic of Ireland star Denis was the only non-British player to bag a direct Premier League free-kick for the Reds.

Taking up a central position 25 yards from goal, Irwin’s right-footed rocket arcs beyond the Liverpool wall and into the

WAYNE ROONEY : 5

TECHNIQUE: Power and accuracy.

FIRST: West Ham 2 United 4, 2 April 2011. Though he punctuated his Champions League debut with a hat-trick-clinching set-piece against Fenerbahce, it took Wazza until his seventh season at the club to net a Premier League free-kick, sparking an unforgettable Upton Park comeback with a sensational curler in front of the jubilant away support.

LAST: Stoke City 1 United 1, 21 January 2017. A historic moment, delivered in spectacular fashion. Rooney’s 250th Reds goal, moving him into an outright lead in the club’s all-time goalscoring chart, thundered into Lee Grant’s top corner from an unforgiving angle to save an injury-time point for Jose Mourinho’s side.

GREATEST HIT: Manchester City 4 United 1, 22 September 2013. Though it counted for little on the day, Wazza’s late consolation effort at the Etihad beat Joe Hart from an outrageous distance.

TRIVIA: Such was Rooney’s form in early 2013/14, that three successive Premier League goals – United’s second against Crystal Palace, followed by solitary goals against City and West Brom – were all free-kicks netted by our no.10.

Goal no.250 for our all-time leading marksman heads for the Stoke net after an outrageous swirling drive from out wide

It took a wide-angle lens to capture Wazza’s long-distance derby delivery in all its glory

top-left corner

JUAN MATA : 6

TECHNIQUE: Pure finesse.

FIRST: Newcastle 0 United 4, 5 April 2014. The mercurial Spaniard had only opened his Reds account against Aston Villa the previous weekend, and he continued to showcase his wares with an exquisite near-post clip at St James’ Park, where goalkeeper Rob Elliott was left grasping at thin air.

LAST: United 3 Newcastle 2, 6 October 2018. The Magpies provided a neat bookend for Mata’s final free-kick with United, as another near-post effort –this time far lower – outdid future Reds stopper Martin Dubravka to spark a thrilling fightback from two down with 20 minutes to go.

GREATEST HIT: Southampton 1 United 1, 11 May 2014. Saints custodian Artur Boruc merely stood and admired as the Spaniard arced a sensational 20-yarder over the defensive wall and fractionally beneath the crossbar, snaring a last-day point for the Reds.

TRIVIA: Juan is one of five left-footers to net Premier League free-kicks for United, second in tally only to Ryan Giggs and ahead of Louis Saha, Robin van Persie and Angel Di Maria.

RYAN GIGGS : 7

TECHNIQUE: Absolute precision.

FIRST: United 3 Blackburn Rovers 1, 3 May 1993. The day after ending a 26-year league title wait, the Reds were toiling against Kenny Dalglish’s Rovers at Old Trafford. It took a barnstorming 30-yarder from Giggs, whipped ferociously into the top corner at the Scoreboard End, to really start the party.

LAST: Portsmouth 1 United 4, 28 November 2009. Despite having his duty as free-kick taker put on hiatus by first David Beckham and then Cristiano Ronaldo, the veteran Welshman displayed his enduring excellence at Fratton Park in 2009. A staggering 16 years on from his belter against Blackburn, Giggs curled a measured finish into the bottom corner of David James’s goal to round off a handsome victory.

GREATEST HIT: Tottenham 1 United 3, 12 September 2009. In the immediate aftermath of Ronaldo’s departure, the Reds’ no.11 curled a sublime equaliser at White Hart Lane, whipping his 25-yard effort high into Carlo Cudicini’s top-left-hand corner.

TRIVIA: Alongside team-mate Gary Pallister, Giggsy made history against Blackburn on United’s first Premier League coronation night, which remains the only instance of two Reds scoring free-kicks in the same Premier League game.

Not for the first time, Giggs picks his path to goal with pinpoint precision to tee up a 2009 White Hart Lane win

Mata begins his run-up against the Magpies in 2018 before his left-footed effort (below left) outmanoeuvres an extensive defensive wall and Dubravka’s dive (below)

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CRISTIANO RONALDO : 12

TECHNIQUE: The knuckleball.

FIRST: United 3 Portsmouth 0, 1 November 2003. Whether he was putting it into a dangerous area or aiming for goal, United’s young no.7 got off the mark with his first Reds goal to tie up victory against Pompey. Though stationed virtually on the left touchline, Ronaldo’s vicious low strike sped through the penalty area, past Shaka Hislop and into the Scoreboard End goal.

LAST: United 3 Norwich City 2, 16 April 2022. The best part of two decades on from opening his account, Ronny thundered in the solitary free-kick of his second spell at Old Trafford, completing his hat-trick with a blasted effort which goalkeeper Tim Krul could only help in via an upright.

GREATEST HIT: United 2 Portsmouth 0, 30 January 2008. The celebrations said it all after possibly the Premier League’s greatest free-kick, as Cristiano bellowed skywards, having rocketed home an unbelievable top-corner effort from 25 yards.

TRIVIA: Typically, Ronny has his own place in club history, as the only United player to score two free-kicks in the same Premier League game, twice putting Stoke City to the sword in 2008.

DAVID BECKHAM : 18

TECHNIQUE: Unique side-on run-up.

FIRST: Southampton 6 United 3, 26 October 1996. Though Becks’s first dead-ball effort for his boyhood club came on a chastening afternoon, the hallmarks were already in place: unbelievable curve, power and dip to hurtle into the top corner. The start of a legend.

LAST: Everton 1 United 2, 11 May 2003. Fittingly, for potentially the game’s most famous set-piece exponent, Beckham signed off before his move to Real Madrid by cracking a brilliant curler across and above a packed penalty area, silencing Goodison Park as the ball nestled beautifully in Richard Wright’s top corner.

United 2 Aston Villa 1, 1 May 1999. Of the 18 Premier League free-kicks he bagged – still a division record, with James Ward-Prowse lurking on 17 –perhaps none were as important or spectacular as Becks’s cracker against Villa. Sent sailing into Michael Oakes’s top corner at a ludicrous trajectory, the 30-yard effort bagged three priceless points en route to part one of the Treble. With 11 of his 18 coming away from home, Beckham is the only multiple free-kick-scoring Red with a higher proportion netted away from Old Trafford.

A master of the knuckleball, Ronaldo seemingly defies physics to send this legendary free-kick against Portsmouth hurtling into the net with a vicious dip

ONE-HIT WONDERS

In addition to the repeated scorers featured, another eight Reds have netted a solitary direct free-kick for United in the Premier League…

GARY PALLISTER United 3

Blackburn Rovers 1, 3 May 1993

PAUL INCE United 9

Ipswich Town 0, 4 March 1995

LOUIS SAHA United 3

Southampton 2, 31 January 2004

NANI Wigan Athletic 0

United 5, 22 August 2009

ROBIN VAN PERSIE Manchester City 2 United 3, 9 December 2012 (above)

ANGEL DI MARIA United 4 QPR 0, 14 September 2014

ASHLEY YOUNG Watford 2 United 4, 28 November 2017

MARCUS RASHFORD Cardiff City 1

United 5, 22 December 2018

The dead-ball deity celebrates another stunner courtesy of his iconic execution (right)

KING CLAIMS THE THRONE

26 April 1965: Recalling the night a patched-up Denis Law fired Busby’s Reds to title glory against Arsenal in front of

“Denis was totally unfit and should never have played,” recalls Paddy Crerand of his team-mate Denis Law, matchwinner on one of Old Trafford’s truly great nights. “Our physio Ted Dalton and Matt [Busby] kidded him on and made him play – and he scored twice. But he should never have been on the field at all.”

The match? United versus Arsenal, on Monday 26 April 1965. The occasion? Our final First Division home fixture of the 1964/65 season, and an opportunity to win our sixth league title.

To make that happen the Reds needed to not only win this match against Billy Wright’s Gunners, but also hope that Leeds, top of the

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table by one point but playing their final game of the season away at Birmingham City, would slip up. Almost inevitably it was skipper Law who proved the catalyst for victory, despite being severely hampered.

“The Saturday before the Arsenal game I had got a bad gash on the knee which needed seven stitches in it,” Law recalled years later. “But they strapped the knee up really tight, the stitches stayed in place, and although it was stiff to run on, I got through the game. Looking back, I can understand that Matt wanted to put out his first-choice formation for a key match like that. But there was no way I should have played.”

jubilant Old Trafford…

It took just seven minutes for the signs that a glory, glory night lay ahead, with the 51,625 crowd packed into Old Trafford starting to believe the championship would be ours from the moment George Best put us ahead – with Law (who else!) providing the assist.

Clive Toye of the Daily Express wrote of United’s opener: ‘George Best almost negligently clipped a pass to Denis Law, made ground to collect the ball again, and scored after Law – with his injured right knee heavily bandaged – had left Ian Ure standing.’

Having laid on Best’s goal, it was in the second half – with Leeds 3-0 down at St

was repelled by Reds keeper Pat Dunne, but the Arsenal man reacted to thrash home the rebound. That strike, plus news that Leeds had pulled two goals back v Birmingham, meant the crowd were suddenly tense… but not for long.

Andrew’s – that the Lawman set about doing his thing. Just before the hour, the man dubbed ‘The King’ struck in front of his adoring Stretford End with a customary predator’s finish –reacting quickest when David Herd’s header from a Nobby Stiles free-kick bounced down off the crossbar. Old Trafford rejoiced as Law cushioned the rebound into the roof of the net, then unveiled his customary celebration: cuffs in hands, index fingers pointing skyward.

Joy soon turned to jitters, though, as Arsenal pulled one back after Crerand brought down Joe Baker for a penalty. George Eastham’s spot-kick

‘There was only joy in their hearts and voices in the 85th minute,’ continued Clive Toye in his match report. ‘Best’s corner-kick slid between Don Howe’s legs and gave Law an open goal. So United were now certain of victory, despite the tremendous fight Arsenal had put up. Then came the joyful tones [over the public address system] saying: Birmingham 3 Leeds 3. And the cry of “Champions, Champions, Champions” was dinned into the mind until there seemed no other words in the language of Manchester.’

With United confirmed as kings of England by the old-school method of goal average – only a 19-0 defeat in our final game at Aston Villa would swing it back the way of Leeds – the Old Trafford stands emptied on to the pitch in celebration.

“To say I am thrilled and delighted is the understatement of the season,” said a beaming

Law celebrates one of his two goals in customary fashion, fingers pointed upwards in a synchronous show of the Reds rising to the top once again

Even with his right knee heavily bandaged, the Lawman strikes instinctively into the Arsenal net

Busby gazes adoringly at United’s prize as he’s joined at a celebratation dinner by club chairman Louis Edwards and the Football League’s secretary, Alan Hardaker, and chairman, Joe Richards

Busby afterwards. “It’s been a long hard road. It has been a long hard season. But I am proud of these lads who have won the championship for Manchester United – every single one of them!”

A team of heroes, then, but with one standing out for his contribution and bravery on this most special of nights. ‘One must acknowledge the return of ace marksman Denis Law,’ wrote legendary United writer David Meek. ‘His knee was stitched up, swollen and bruised, yet he still scored twice – just as he did in the match 48 hours earlier [v Liverpool].’

The next day’s headlines made for happy reading, and no wonder; United were champions for the first time since the Munich Air Disaster with a thrilling side determined to conquer Europe. It would be three years before that ultimate aim was achieved, but after winning this ’65 title the Evening News back page summed things up perfectly, hailing United in big block capitals: ‘MATT’S MASTERS OF SOCCER!’

Prowling dangerously in the Arsenal box, Law steadies himself before steering a close-range finish beyond Gunners keeper Jim Furnell (below, left)

Old Trafford – under renovation ahead of the 1966 World Cup – erupts as George Best moves the Reds closer to the 1964/65 league title

Busby joins his players in a celebratory drink back in the changing rooms

United fans swarm on to the Old Trafford pitch after the win over Arsenal, together with Leeds’ draw at Birmingham, proclaims the Reds as ’64/65 championship winners

The title revelry spills over into the team bath as the players soak up their remarkable achievement

Another title toast for Busby, joined this time by assistant Murphy and the United staff

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A WSL DERBY

IT’S A DERBY!

United v City with bragging rights on the line – need we say more? Drama, entertainment and passion are to be expected whenever and wherever these two clubs meet, and your support could make all the difference as the Reds go in pursuit of three potentially pivotal late-season points in the Women’s Super League.

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EPIC REVERSE FIXTURE

The most recent league meeting between the sides was a thriller, as United won 4-2 at the Etihad in January, with key midfielder Ella Toone (right) bagging a hat-trick. It means the Reds will be pursuing a first-ever WSL double over the Blues when the sides lock horns again in May.

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BE PART OF HISTORY

United Women’s record home attendance of 43,615 was set on that autumnal afternoon two years ago and, while that was a proud achievement, we’d love to beat it come May! Can you help us make history again?

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A SCORE TO SETTLE

City did get the better of us in the only previous women’s derby at Old Trafford, winning 3-1 in November 2023, meaning Marc Skinner (above) and his team will be out to put that right this time around.

GREAT-VALUE DAY OUT

Tickets are priced at just £10 for adults, with entry for under-16s and over-65s at £7.50, making it an affordable afternoon for all the family. There’s not just the 90 minutes to look forward to either, with plenty set to be going on inside and outside the ground before kick-off.

DATE ...

GET YOUR OLD TRAFFORD FIX

With the men’s team due to play away to Brentford on the same weekend, the derby will be your chance to watch some live football at Old Trafford across that Saturday and Sunday. Here’s hoping the Manchester sunshine makes an appearance too!

SEE THE LEAGUE’S BEST DEFENCE

United have conceded just six goals in 15 league contests this term to hold the best defensive record in the top flight, with goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce (above) racking up 10 clean sheets. Only Chelsea, Arsenal and City have scored more than us at the other end, meanwhile… 9

Marc Skinner’s Reds are back in M16 in May for a Manchester meeting that could be the biggest one yet in the women’s game. Here are 10 reasons why you’ll want to be here!

PLENTY TO PLAY FOR

As the penultimate fixture on our league schedule, this game could be crucial, both in terms of the WSL title race and the battle to secure one of three Champions League places for next term. United went within five points of leaders Chelsea last weekend and maintained a gap of as many points to City, who at the time of writing are lurking just outside those European spots.

SUMMER EURO STARS ON SHOW

Euro 2025 is on the horizon, so May’s derby is also a chance for you to scout out some of the summer tournament’s potential standouts. Grace Clinton (right), Melvine Malard and Elisabeth Terland are among the Reds that could play in M16 before striving for international glory in July.

SCAN HERE FOR TICKETS

The game is scheduled to be a 12pm kick-off on Sunday 4 May but is subject to change if it is picked for television coverage. Visit ManUtd.com/fixtures for the latest fixtures information.

HOME FINALE

City’s visit is set to be the final opportunity to watch United Women at home this season. Skinner’s Reds have been mightily impressive on our own turf in 2024/25, going unbeaten across the eight WSL matches hosted (one at Old Trafford, seven at Leigh Sports Village), boasting a stately 19-2 aggregate scoreline.

FOCUS ACADEMY

THROUGH TO THE LAST FOUR

A

thrilling FA Youth Cup tie at the Emirates went United’s way last week. UR were behind the scenes on a dramatic night to see what went into the 3-2 quarter-final victory...

“No-one’s going to give you something just because you’re on top,” was the key message in the team talk that won it, heading into extra-time at the Emirates.

Adam Lawrence is in his second season as lead coach of United’s Under-18s. He’d be the first to point out that it’s a team effort.

Travis Binnion, who guided United to our 11th Youth Cup crown in 2022, oversees the full Professional Development Phase (U17s to U21s) and is a key sounding board. He’s sometimes even on the touchline supporting Lawrence. Colin Little is the long-serving assistant. Kevin Wolfe is the goalkeeping coach who bellowed proudly when Will Murdock in the United net made a crucial 94th-minute save to keep the score level. And there are plenty of others.

But as this group of young United players buzzed around the technical area at Arsenal’s stadium, shouting encouragement to each other, swilling water, racing through thought after thought, it was up to Lawrence to distil a lot of information down into something simple.

“We have to play,” he said. “You’ve got 30 minutes. It’s a lot of time. Play the game properly. Get the territory, move the ball, find those little moments.

“You’ve scored a great goal,” he added, pointing at Jack Fletcher, whose 36th-minute right-footed drive flew inside the right post and into the side netting. It was unstoppable, and he’d tested Gunners shot-stopper Jack Porter

with a left-footed attempt only minutes before. “And you’ve scored a great goal.” Lawrence now pointed at Jaydan Kamason. It was his sweet, rising strike that beat Porter much later in the game, when United needed an equaliser to send the contest to extra-time.

Arsenal’s Louie Copley had led his team to parity before half-time, with 15-year-old talent Max Dowman earning and converting a penalty soon after the break. United’s belief

dropped temporarily, only to surge again with the backing of a sizeable support. After patient passing play, Kamason drove into the area and struck beyond Porter beautifully. “But,” Lawrence said, “we need to score a simple goal to win this. Well done for getting back in it but we’ve had some chances at the end there. You need to be hitting the box.”

Eight minutes into extra-time, three substitutes combined to do so. Jim Thwaites, a technically

The Reds’ starting XI line up at the Emirates ahead of an entertaining Youth Cup encounter, which ended with the elimination of Arsenal and our progression to the semis

able diminutive midfielder, sent winger Samuel Lusale down the left wing with a lofted ball. Lusale’s touch was good enough to draw instant acclaim from the crowd. Then he beat his man and crossed with the outside of his boot to tee up Bendito Mantato, the exciting winger hitting the box to make sure he was there. A simple goal to decide a fantastic game; another memorable night in a remarkable year for this group.

As with any Academy squad, the U18s have welcomed new members over the last year, and bid others good luck as they’ve progressed on to new teams, either at United or elsewhere. But many of those involved have experienced a truly special 12 months. The team won three trophies last season, including the English title.

The goalscorers from the two finals in which they competed, Ethan Wheatley and Ethan Williams, are now out on loan. Others, like our match-winner at the Emirates, Mantato, have filled their places. Chido Obi scored seven

goals in three Youth Cup games before the quarter-final, but was absent against Arsenal as he continues to enjoy first-team involvement. That’s what the Youth Cup can do.

It’s also about memories. Tyler Fletcher took a photo with his twin Jack after the game, posing in front of United’s travelling support.

“It’s pretty special,” he said. “Walking out before the game with our suits on made the occasion really good. Everyone was buzzing, up for the game. It’s bigger [the stadium] than you expect when you’re actually there. All our fans were still chanting, supporting right until the end. I think that helped us get over the line.”

Amir Ibragimov, a 16-year-old forward who had a good impact off the bench, agreed: “The atmosphere was amazing. We had loads of fans. I didn’t even expect we’d have that many fans. It felt like we had even more fans than Arsenal!”

In the dressing room and on the coach home after, these young Reds who dream of playing for United’s first team buzzed. They looked at photos of themselves playing – and some of them scoring – at a Premier League ground and saw what the future might hold. There’s a long way to go for all of them, a lot of learning to be done, but the FA Youth Cup journey continues.

Lawrence’s side will travel to either Aston Villa or Plymouth Argyle for the semi-final, knowing that if they can get past that hurdle, they may face Manchester City in the final.

“At the later stages of this competition it gets hard,” Fletcher said. “We’ve got another hard game coming up in the semi-final but we just need to keep pushing and we back ourselves to go and win it.”

Good luck, lads!

UNITED’S YOUTH CUP PROGRESS

THIRD ROUND: United 5-0 Coventry (Biancheri 3, 10, 78, Obi 13, 54)

FOURTH ROUND: United 5-2 Preston (Fletcher 7, Munro 19, Obi 25, 34, Ibragimov 90 pen; Rodriguez-Gentile 50, 57)

FIFTH ROUND: United 5-1 Chelsea (Obi 26, 50, 64, Scanlon 34, 38; Walsh 21)

QUARTER-FINAL: Arsenal 2-3 United (aet) (Copley 42, Dowman 57 pen; Fletcher 36, Kamason 85, Mantato 103)

SEMI-FINAL: Aston Villa or Plymouth v United

FINAL: Aston Villa or Plymouth or United v Watford or Manchester City

The Reds race off in celebration as Mantato’s goal finally settles a thrilling cup contest in extra-time

Harry Amass shows his quality as the Reds push on

We last lifted the famous trophy in 2022

TWO TREBLE REMINDERS

United’s archives hold countless gems, including these two items connected to Dwight Yorke’s electric form in our unforgettable 1998/99 campaign…

When Dwight Yorke signed for United from Aston Villa in August 1998, few predicted the impact the Trinidad and Tobago international would have on our fortunes. He arrived with an infectious smile on his face and with a determination to enjoy his big move – and Yorke ended his maiden Reds season with 29 goals, 19 assists, three shiny winner’s medals, a swathe of individual awards, and memories to last a lifetime.

Within weeks of arriving, the striker – wearing the no.19 shirt – quickly became the focal point of United’s attack, forming a devastating partnership with Andy Cole that fired us to our greatest-ever season. His contribution was huge and consistent across the campaign, although his most impressive month came in January 1999 – for which he was presented with the Premier League Player of the Month award (above, right). He scored five goals across our three league games that month: the opener in a 4-1 defeat of West Ham, a hat-trick in an exhilarating 6-2 away win at Leicester, and a crucial late winner in victory against Charlton at The Valley. By season’s end Yorke had played in 51 of the Reds’ 63 matches – wearing the boots pictured for some of those – while ensuring he’ll always be remembered as one of the key architects of the greatest campaign in our history. Dwight’s remarkable season ended with him picking up the league’s Golden Boot – he was also the Champions League top scorer – and he was named in both the Premier League and PFA Teams of the Year. As debut seasons go, there have been few better in our history.

The boots that helped Yorke fire us to the Treble in 1999, and his Player of the Month award for his outstanding January that year, are among the artefacts at the Old Trafford museum that preserve the memory of that famous campaign

Story behind the shot

Club snapper Ash Donelon (above) enjoys the privilege of dressing-room access on a matchday, recently taking this unusual and eye-catching view of Bruno’s shirt...

THE CAPTAIN’S KIT

Image taken: Ahead of our FA Cup tie with Fulham, Old Trafford, Sunday 2 March.

Ash says: “Accessing the dressing room on a matchday is always a special privilege, but the challenge as a club photographer is to find new ways to make images that people haven’t seen before. I usually have roughly five minutes in the empty room before the players arrive, which gives me a little bit of time to get creative. For this shot I used a glass sphere mounted to the front of a macro lens, and then used a series of hollow extension tubes on either end of the lens to allow me to focus more closely. This set-up enabled the colour of the red shirt to fill the backdrop of the frame, and the narrow focal angle allows Bruno’s shirt to really pop out. This is the sort of photo you could try and replicate using digital editing software, but there’s something about doing it ‘in camera’ that gives it a more authentic feel.”

Our mascot tackles the big questions from the Reds’ amazing history, one subject at a time...

With the ‘holy grail’ of the European Cup finally secured in 1968 after a 23-year journey of success and tragedy for his United team, Matt Busby was knighted in June that year: Arise, Sir Matt!

Busby’s Reds had ridden the wave of destiny towards European glory at Wembley a month earlier. Their reward was one of football’s biggest trophies – both in terms of importance and also in sheer size! – but also the chance to take on that year’s best team in South America, Argentinian side Estudiantes, in the 1968 Intercontinental Cup.

The two-legged meeting between United and Estudiantes was more like a war than a football game. The atmosphere in the first leg at the famous La Bombonera stadium was something different to what our players had ever seen. Red smoke bombs exploded in the crowd. Tackles and stray elbows soon flew. Bobby Charlton ended up needing stitches. The Estudiantes

FRED ASKS... HOW DID THE BUSBY ERA END AT UNITED?

players were seeking revenge for the 1966 World Cup quarter-final, when Argentina had lost to England in a game they nicknamed ‘The Theft of the Century’. Nobby Stiles was their main target and was kicked all game. After 79 minutes, Stiles retaliated and was sent off. Estudiantes won 1-0.

The second leg at Old Trafford was equally violent. Estudiantes went 1-0 up, George Best

DID YOU KNOW?

The Intercontinental Cup ran from 1960-2004, to determine the world’s best club team – the winners of the European Cup (now the Champions League) versus the winners of the Copa Libertadores (South America’s equivalent competition).

Although United lost the game in 1968, we’d eventually win it in 1999 by beating Palmeiras (right). In 2004 it was replaced by the FIFA Club World Cup, although that competition had already taken place for one year only in 2000 – meaning the Reds entered both that and the Intercontinental Cup in a busy 1999/2000 season!

struck an opponent and was sent off before United got one back through Willie Morgan. With the game’s final kick, Brian Kidd scored another – which would have sent the tie to a play-off –but the ref disallowed it. He said he’d whistled to end the game already. Some United fans thought we now had our own ‘Theft of the Century’!

Still, it had been an amazing year and at the end of it, Best was named European Footballer of the Year, receiving the Ballon d’Or trophy. He was only 22 and had shown himself to be completely unique – a dribbling wizard.

A month later, in January 1969, Sir Matt shocked the footballing world. He announced that he’d step down as United manager at the season’s end, explaining that the 10-year journey from the Munich Air Disaster to the European Cup success had taken it out of him.

The players were desperate to give him something special to end on. United were 11th

Best tests the Estudiantes goal as the champions of Europe and South America come together for the second leg of their feisty Intercontinental Cup battle

in the league. But could they do something magical again in Europe? “What better parting present could there be than another European Cup?” said Charlton, as we progressed to the semi-final stage. There, AC Milan were 2-0 winners in Italy for the first leg, but United remained confident of turning things around back at Old Trafford. The Reds played well, Charlton scoring after 70 minutes, and Denis Law thought (along with many others inside the ground) that he had levelled things up late on.

“The players near the scene swore the ball went over the line and television subsequently suggested it may have done,” recalled David Sadler years later, “but the referee didn’t give it.”

Sadly, that near miss meant United went out 2-1 on aggregate – Milan going on to win the trophy. It was another painful moment in international competition. Worse than that, it was United’s last game in the European Cup for 24 years. No-one knew that at the time, of course, but as Charlton later reflected: “Manchester United had finally stepped down from the team that carried a special aura whenever they walked on to the field.”

Busby left without the perfect ending. Former player Wilf McGuinness replaced the Scot, but always had the Busby shadow hanging over him. Generally poor results were scattered among reminders of how amazing United

Left: Law’s effort is adjudged to have been stopped on the line by an AC Milan defender, as United’s hopes of retaining the European Cup are dashed by the eventual competition winners

Below: Busby, now a knight of the British realm after realising his dream of conquering Europe with the Reds, speaks to journalists ahead of bringing his legendary managerial reign to an end

could be, such as an 8-2 FA Cup win against Northampton, in which Best scored six! But in December 1970, only 18 months in, McGuinness was sacked, and Busby returned as caretaker. Frank O’Farrell was next to try and replace Busby, but he struggled, too. Best continued to do magic things, but his off-field lifestyle was becoming a problem. Charlton and Law

remained two of world football’s finest, but their ability to impact games every week had declined and O’Farrell lasted only a year-anda-half, too.

Tommy Docherty was next, trying to rescue a team on a downward spiral. It was clear United’s golden era was over. But there would still be further lows to reach...

FRED’S PUZZLES

MASCOT XI

What a team –we hope you all enjoy it!

MISSING MEN

Can you fill in the blanks from the starting XI that beat Arsenal 3-1 at Old Trafford near the start of the 2022/23 season? (Hint: all three are still at the club...)

DEBUT DETAILS

Can you put these five in order of their United debut, starting with who played first? Write 1st to 5th...

MISSING MEN: 1.Lisandro Martinez; 2. Christian Eriksen; 3. Bruno Fernandes.

DEBUT DETAILS: 1. Jonny Evans (2007); 2. Diogo Dalot (2018); 3. Harry Maguire (2019); 4. Alejandro Garnacho (2022); 5. Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu (2025).

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Ashwin

Oliver

Mia Jiansh Amelia Paloma Vilma Isobel Michael Rory

Also available at all Old Trafford kiosks and Megastore

PROMOTING EQUALITY

Pupils from Foundation partner schools present their ideas to tackle key issue in female football

More than 100 pupils from Manchester United Foundation’s partner high schools shared their ideas to promote equality for women in football, as part of the Premier League Inspires social action challenge.

This challenge tasks young people to take on a social action project to benefit their communities, empowering them to make a difference to the world around them, with this year’s theme centring around gender equality.

An inspiring day at Old Trafford brought together pupils who had prepared projects in advance and presented their ideas to their peers.

The aim of the day was very much for everyone to take home added wisdom and inspiration to continue the fight for equality, but there was additional motivation on offer, too.

The schools were competing for the opportunity to represent the Foundation in the upcoming Premier League Inspires national finals, where they will go head-to-head with representatives of other top-flight clubs – and at Wembley, no less!

The Oldham Academy North emerged as the successful school, being hailed for their idea for a primary school girls’ football festival and their proposals to promote that within their local area.

One pupil, Chloe, explained their school’s idea: “We’re helping young girls to feel included in sports, particularly women’s football.

“As part of our project, we’re planning to do assemblies and presentations to help children understand and recognise things they might not have known about inequality, like viewing figures in men’s and women’s sport.

“Channelling that mindset that gender inequality is wrong, but also that equality is achievable, is something that should be

instilled and built into people’s mindsets from a young age. All the schools that came here are really passionate and it showed everyone has a fire for working together in order to stop gender inequality.”

Class-mate Alexandra added: “I am passionate about this project because it raises awareness about gender equality and why it’s so important in sport. From my personal experience, it’s been really hard for me to fit in with male-dominant sports like football and rugby. Just being able

to raise awareness about gender equality is a big passion of mine. I’ve learnt that gender inequality in sport is not just for women, it’s for men, too.

“Even though I’m not a big football fan, being able to learn about new things and seeing the stadium in real life is surreal to me.”

Another of the pupils, Mwezi, concluded: “This has been a great experience, it taught me a lot about equality that I didn’t know before, and it just helped me understand a lot more about females and equality in sports overall.”

Young Red Amelia Oldroyd attended the event to offer advice and talk about her experiences in a Q&A

The Oldham Academy North pupils will go on to compete in the national finals after their project was chosen to represent the Foundation

Mwezi, who was part of the winning proposal, said the day provided great insight into inequality in sport

DXC PARTNERSHIP

DXC Technology is the Presenting Partner of Manchester United Foundation, and through the innovative collaboration, the Foundation strives to inspire young people to become the next generation of leaders by developing their digital and social skills.

The Digital Futures Academy is another joint venture with DXC. The programme supports students from six of the Foundation’s partner high schools over a four-year period, enhancing their professional development skills and introducing them to technology topics such as automation, big data, virtual reality and security.

The partnership work includes other events throughout the year, with pupils from partner high schools and colleges recently welcomed to Old Trafford for a special event during National Apprenticeships Week. The young people heard about the experiences of DXC apprentices, experienced a racing simulator and took part in team-building activities. One student, Igwala, 18, said: “I know I want to get into an apprenticeship, and the apprentices here have told me about the whole process, so I learnt some things that I didn’t know before. I feel fully focused and ready to apply for my apprenticeship – it’s been brilliant.”

BOOK-SMART REDS

Maya Le Tissier, Lisa Naalsund and Ella Toone surprised pupils from Manchester United Foundation partner school Manchester Enterprise Academy with a recent visit to their school to take part in football and reading-themed activities.

The extra special visit came ahead of World Book Day, which took place on Thursday (6 March), as the Reds trio spoke to the young people about the benefits of reading and writing.

“It’s always nice to come out and see young girls playing football, starting out on their

journeys and offering a little bit of advice,” Ella Toone told us.

“We’ve been in the library with the kids as well, and for me, I feel that when I’m reading, I can switch off. Reading is important, it’s something I did throughout school and really enjoyed it. Hopefully we can get more children in schools reading books.”

Lisa Naalsund added: “I think it’s important they do different types of activities because football isn’t for everyone, so if reading is something they can enjoy, that’s very good.”

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Foundation students hear about the experiences of DXC apprentices during a special event at Old Trafford

The United Women trio discuss reading and writing with Manchester Enterprise Academy pupils during their surprise visit before signing autographs (below)

WHAT IS STYLE?

STATS AT THE BACK MOST FAMILIAR FOE

United have faced Arsenal more times than any other opponent in our history – but how are those 242 meetings split across the different competitions? Let’s take a look…

DIVISION ONE

126 GAMES Arsenal rank for number of games v United: 1st (alongside Everton)

Most frequent opponents: Arsenal, Everton (126)

Just over half of the Reds’ battles with the Gunners came in the top tier of English football before it was rebranded in 1992.

PREMIER LEAGUE

65 GAMES Arsenal rank: 4th (alongside Chelsea)

Most frequent opponents: Everton, Liverpool, Spurs (66)

Since then, United v Arsenal has been an evergreen Premier League fixture, becoming one of the competition’s all-time great rivalries in the late ’90s and early ’00s.

DIVISION TWO

20 GAMES

Arsenal rank: 9th (alongside Chesterfield, Gainsborough Trinity & Southampton)

Most frequent opponent: Port Vale (36)

Our first-ever meeting with the north Londoners was a second-tier clash at our old Bank Street home way back in October 1894, a game that finished 3-3 in front of a crowd of 4,000.

A coin toss on a snow-strewn Highbury marks the start of our 1926 Division One clash

FA CUP

17 GAMES Arsenal rank: 2nd (alongside Chelsea) Most frequent opponent: Liverpool (19)

The tournament’s two most successful clubs (Arsenal 14 wins, United 13) have duelled 17 times in the Cup, including for the right to lift the trophy in 1979 and 2005.

charity/COMMUNITY SHIELD

6 GAMES Arsenal rank: 1st

Most frequent opponent: Arsenal (6)

Arsenal have been our chief adversaries in what has become English football’s annual curtain-raiser between the top-tier champions and FA Cup winners.

LEAGUE CUP

6 GAMES Arsenal rank: 7th (alongside Chelsea, Oxford United, Portsmouth, Port Vale, Southampton, Stoke City & Sunderland)

Most frequent opponent: Manchester City (10)

League Cup ties between the sides have been a rarity over the years – the last came back in 2004 and was decided in our favour by a goal from David Bellion after just 19 seconds.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

2 GAMES

Arsenal rank (among English clubs): 2nd

Most frequent English opponent: Chelsea (3)

United advanced to a second successive Champions League final after downing the Gunners over two legs of a memorable last-four bout in 2009 – the only European encounters to date between the clubs.

Ji-sung Park sets us on the way to a 3-1 Champions League triumph at the Emirates

THE BIGGEST GAMES EVERY WEEKEND

THE PREMIER LEAGUE

As the top-flight action resumes after a pause for the Cup, there are big points to play for over the space of three days...

This weekend’s league schedule features some intriguing encounters at both ends of the table –starting with an important one in the context of Champions League qualification, as Nottingham Forest hosted Man City at lunchtime yesterday. That game at the City Ground (left) was followed by Brighton v Fulham, Crystal Palace v Ipswich, Liverpool v Southampton, Brentford v Aston Villa and Wolves v Everton, before a trio of fixtures this afternoon – two of which kicked off at 2pm, ahead of Arsenal’s visit to M16. Chelsea’s form has been up and down in recent weeks, but they’ll fancy their chances of seeing off relegation-threatened Leicester at Stamford Bridge, while Tottenham could face a tough home test against Bournemouth (left) as the Cherries chase down a highest league finish in their history (currently 9th place, in 2016/17). And the latest run of games concludes tomorrow with a battle of two Uniteds, as Newcastle visit West Ham at 8pm.

2024/25 PREMIER LEAGUE F IXTURES

Read across for home games and down for away. Broadcast picks confirmed up to 28 April

2

Patrick DORGU 301000000040

Christian ERIKSEN 44(20) 2 5(2) 0 4(2) 3 13(5) 200 66(29) 7

Jonny EVANS 141(19) 4 11(5) 0 20(3) 2 27(8) 2 3(3) 0 202(38) 8

Bruno FERNANDES 182(3)6020(3)10 9(4) 4 47(4)16 10 259(14)90

Alejandro GARNACHO 50(33)138(5) 2 7(3) 4 9(11) 3 0(1) 1 74(53)23

Daniel GORE 0(1) 000 0(1) 00000 0(2) 0

Tom HEATON 000020 0(1) 000 2(1) 0

Ayden HEAVEN 00 0(1) 0000000 0(1) 0

Rasmus HOJLUND 41(11)127(1) 1 1(3) 0 10(4)10 00 59(19)23

Victor LINDELOF 160(24) 4 21(2) 0 15(2) 0 42(3) 010

Ayden Heaven made his Reds debut as a substitute last Sunday against Fulham, becoming the 32nd player to represent our first team this season. The defender – who could feature against his former side today – is the 974th player confirmed as playing a senior game for United.

The Red with most Premier League appearances this season is Andre Onana – the Cameroonian starting all 27 of our league matches so far. Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee have played the same number of games but their totals include outings as a substitute.

Diogo Dalot is on the cusp of a milestone appearance for the Reds. Ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League tie in San Sebastian, our Portuguese full-back had made 198 United appearances (scoring seven goals). This means there’s a chance today could be his 200th outing.

2024/25 FIXTURES

CS Sat 10Manchester City (N) 3pm 1-1 ↓

PL Fri 16Fulham (H) 8pm1-073,2974-2-3-1Onana

PL Sun 1Liverpool (H) 4pm 0-3

PL Sat 14Southampton (A) 12.30pm3-031,1444-2-3-1Onana

LC Tues 17Barnsley (H) (R3) 8pm 7-0

PL Sun 29Tottenham Hotspur (H) 4.30pm 0-3 73,587 4-2-3-1Onana

PL Wed 4Arsenal (A) 8.15pm 0-2 60,2563-4-2-1Onana

PL Sat 7 Nottingham Forest (H) 5.30pm 2-3 73,7783-4-2-1Onana

UEL Thu 12Viktoria Plzen (A) 5.45pm 2-1 11,3203-4-2-1Onana

PL Sun 15Manchester City (A) 4.30pm 2-1 52,7883-4-3Onana

LC Thu 19Tottenham Hotspur (A) (QF) 8pm3-457,4093-4-3 Bayindir

PL Sun 22Bournemouth (H)

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

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 please remain in your position and listen carefully to any public address announcements or directions from the attendant stewards. Loudspeakers are located in the stands, concourse areas, hospitality areas, toilets and outside the stadium. Depending on the nature of the incident, whole stands, part stands or even the entire stadium may be evacuated. There is also an option to evacuate spectators on to the pitch. Our public address system operates on a 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 HELP to 84222* 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.

A-Z quiz

Welcome... it’s time for ‘W’ in our alphabetical anthology. ‘W’ plays an important role in each question below – but remember, the answer can start with any letter!

In which year did Norman Whiteside become the youngest player to score in an FA Cup final – 1979, 1983 or 1985? 2. 1. 4. 5. 10. 8. 9. 7. 6.

Walter Winterbottom –who would go on to become the first-ever England manager – played for United in which decade?

Prior to Michael Owen doing so against Wolfsburg in 2009, who was the last player to score a European hat-trick for United in an away game, against Feyenoord in 1997?

Which future Champions League winner, whose first name begins with W, was named Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year in both 1997/98 and 1998/99?

Who scored the Reds’ 50th and final goal at the original Wembley Stadium, against Arsenal in the 1999 Charity Shield?

Danny Welbeck netted on his Premier League debut in a Reds victory over Stoke in 2008, but what was the final score in that game? A 7-1 win over West Ham in April 2000 included a first club hat-trick for which United legend?

United have worn white in two separate FA Cup finals against which side?

Against which current Premier League club did Wayne Rooney score 14 times for the Reds – more than he did against any other side while at United?

United have recorded a club record 42 Premier League wins against which team?

5. Dwight Yorke; 6. Paul Scholes;

1930s; 2. 1983; 3. Andy Cole; 4. Wes Brown;

to United; 8. Crystal Palace; 9. Aston Villa; 10. Everton.

MANCHESTER UNITED

24/25 HOME JERSEY

Altay BAYINDIR

Victor LINDELOF

Noussair Mazraoui

Matthijs de Ligt

Harry MAGUIRE

Lisandro MARTINEZ

Mason MOUNT

Bruno FERNANDES

Rasmus HOJLUND

Joshua Zirkzee

Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu

Christian ERIKSEN

Leny Yoro AMAD

Alejandro GARNACHO CASEMIRO

Diogo DALOT

Tom HEATON

Luke SHAW

Andre ONANA

Manuel Ugarte

Ayden Heaven

Jonny EVANS

Kobbie MAINOO

Harry Amass

Sekou Kone

Toby Collyer

Hubert Graczyk

Elyh Harrison

Tyler fredricson

Chido Obi

jack fletcher

Jack Moorhouse

Godwill Kukonki

SEASON 2024/25

William Saliba

Kieran Tierney

Ben White

Thomas Partey

Gabriel Bukayo Saka

Martin Odegaard

Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Martinelli

Jurrien Timber Jakub Kiwior

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Leandro Trossard

Jorginho

David Raya

Mikel Merino

Kai Havertz

Raheem Sterling

Neto

Riccardo Calafiori

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji

Declan Rice

Ismeal Kabia

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Ethan Nwaneri

Jack Porter

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee Anthony Taylor

Assistants Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn

Fourth official Darren Bond

VAR Paul Tierney

Assistant VAR Tim Wood