Manchester United v Aston Villa PL match programme, 25.05.25

MANCHESTER UNITED

24/25 HOME JERSEY

“You travelled in your thousands to Bilbao, as you always do, and stuck with us to the end. Now, for us to repay you, the work really begins”

NRuben AMORIM

ext season, we must be better, because this season has not met the standards of Manchester United.

In Bilbao on Wednesday, we desperately wanted to give you, our brilliant fans, something to celebrate after such a difficult time and, even though we tried, the outcome

summarised the season for us. It was a painful experience for us all and going forward we have to use that hurt as fuel. Today, we welcome Unai Emery and Aston Villa to Old Trafford for our final game of the Premier League campaign. Whatever happens this afternoon, we know we have a lot of hard work ahead this summer. Everyone at the club – players, coaches and staff – must commit fully to that effort, and pull together to deliver the big improvements required next season and beyond. In the meantime, on behalf of the players and all the staff, I want to thank you

all for your incredible support and patience this season. You travelled in your thousands to Bilbao, as you always do, and stuck with us to the end. Now, for us to repay you, the work really begins.

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB LTD

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

Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards

THE CURTAIN FALLS

Following

Wednesday’s heartbreaking near-miss

in Bilbao, United round off a tough season with the visit of Champions League-chasing Villa...

This afternoon, a difficult, testing 2024/25 campaign for Manchester United ends with the visit of Aston Villa to Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim’s side play host to Unai Emery’s Villans fresh from a harrowing midweek experience, having narrowly lost out to Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final. Our lowest-ever Premier League finish is already assured but, with pride and prize money still to play for, the Reds will be hoping to round off the campaign with three points before heading into next week’s post-season trip to Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

While United will finish between 14th and 17th – we start the day in 16th, a point ahead of Spurs, who host Brighton – Villa have a wider

range of fates in store. Our visitors are one of five sides separated by just three points in the race to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. Third, fourth and fifth spots will enter Europe’s premier knockout competition, and Villa begin the day in sixth, trailing fifth-placed Chelsea on goal difference.

The Midlanders reached this season’s UCL quarter-finals before exiting to finalists Paris Saint-Germain and arrive at Old Trafford aiming to seal a quickfire return. “It’s really important for us as players and for the fans [to get Champions League football],” said defender Ezri Konsa. “We had a taste of it this season, getting to the quarters. As players, it’s

a competition you want to play in, and it’s the main goal for us going into the last game.”

So there is no shortage of motivation for the visitors this afternoon, while United are unavoidably processing the pain of Wednesday’s jarring defeat in Bilbao.

As Diogo Dalot (left) put it post-match at San Mames: “If it doesn’t hurt you, if you don’t feel it, then you should not be here. It’s time for reflection; everyone needs to reflect. And when it’s time to make decisions, make decisions. When it’s time to act, we act. And when it’s time for us to go on the pitch, we win games. I think that’s the ultimate change that needs to happen.”

The players thank our travelling fans for their support on a night of disappointment in Bilbao, and today the Reds will be aiming to sign off the season with a home victory against Aston Villa

be part of the wall!

Twenty-thousand fan images to make up Old Trafford mosaic

An Academy Wall is to be constructed in the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand tunnel here at Old Trafford, made up of 20,000 individual fan images, all pulled together to create one giant mosaic, featuring 14 of United’s homegrown heroes.

The mural has been designed to celebrate the club’s motto of ‘youth, courage, success’ and honour the unique story of the Reds’ Academy. With the club due to build a new stadium, this is a last chance for supporters to be part of the current stadium’s history, with the panels guaranteed to last for a minimum of five years.

So how can fans get involved?

Simply scan the QR code to the right and follow the steps. Fans can upload a photo for £60, with an early-bird discount available for season ticket holders and executive club members until Sunday 15 June (emails will be sent with further information on how to redeem the discount).

Any supporter who submits a photograph can also purchase a personalised photo frame memento. Starting from £30, they include a personal photo, a larger image and a unique validation number, plus an optional personalised message – making it an ideal gift for

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Looking ahead to next season, our Premier League fixtures for 2025/26 will be released at 9am on 18 June, with the action getting under way on the weekend of 16/17 August.

The league campaign will consist of 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds, with the season drawing to a close on Sunday 24 May, just over a fortnight before the 2026 World Cup kicks off in Mexico City, with Mexico co-hosting the competition alongside the USA and Canada.

With United not involved in European competition next season, we will enter the Carabao Cup in the second-round stage, likely to be played in late August.

As for the summer transfer window, it’ll briefly open early this year, from 1-10 June ahead of the Club World Cup, with it then opening again on June 16 until deadline day on 1 September.

friends and family. Fans can also buy an online gift voucher. The Academy Wall will be installed once all photocells have been allocated, so if you’re keen to get involved, scan below!

SCAN HERE FOR THE LATEST TICKET INFORMATION

SCAN HERE TO VISIT THE UNITED STORE

SCAN HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE UNITED APP

The 34th season of the Premier League (and 127th of top-flight English football) will begin on the third weekend of August

A mock-up of how the wall will look, with fans invited to upload a photo and enshrine their memories into the fabric of United’s home

BEATEN IN BILBAO

United suffer defeat to Spurs in all-English Europa League final, settled by a single goal scored just before half-time in the Basque Country...

Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final spelled a painful end to what had been a vitalising continental campaign for Ruben Amorim’s United.

While there’s no getting away from the fact it’s been a difficult domestic season for the Reds, the road to Bilbao has provided a real source of pride in a challenging few months. But the hopes of ending a trying term with a trophy – and a place in next term’s Champions League – were wrenchingly dashed in the all-English final.

Amid a piercing atmosphere inside the acoustically friendly San Mames, both teams showed attacking enthusiasm during a taut first half that was, in truth, 45 minutes evidently being contested by two sides that understood the clash’s magnitude and what was at stake.

It was a nervy first period, with half-chances in both penalty areas. Brennan Johnson forced Andre Onana into a save with a powerful strike from a tight angle and, moments after Harry Maguire blocked Pape Sarr’s follow-up, our no.5 was down the other end rescuing a loose corner and teeing up Amad, who shimmied his way past a defender before firing across the goal.

Amad was proving a menace to the opposition defence and looked United’s most likely route to an opener, but just as he was beginning to impart his tenacious flow from the right flank, Spurs snatched the deadlock-breaker when Sarr crossed for Johnson, who couldn’t connect at first attempt but bundled the ball home after it looped back to him off Luke Shaw. Coming in the 42nd minute, little pre-interval time remained for the Reds to find a reply, but Bruno Fernandes certainly tried – seeing his fierce effort blocked by Micky van de Ven –before United stepped things up in a second half that was very much attack versus defence. As Ange Postecoglou’s side sought to protect the lead they’d carved out, Amorim’s men seized control of the open-play momentum, although two of our best opportunities did come from a succession of Fernandes free-kicks.

The first was invitingly whipped in from the right but tamed by a punch from Guglielmo Vicario that instantly thwarted Leny Yoro’s deft diversion on the ball. The second saw a less pretty intervention from the goalkeeper, who fumbled Bruno’s deep delivery to Rasmus Hojlund. Our no.9 arched back to power a header over the stranded stopper, only for the ball to be acrobatically cleared off the line by van de Ven.

That proved to be the closest we would come to getting back on terms, although more chances followed in the closing stages, even if it felt like time was ebbing away quickly around a series of stoppages for injuries and substitutions.

Fernandes couldn’t nod a Noussair Mazraoui cross from the right between the posts, before Vicario twice dived to his left to deny separate goalbound attempts. After rerouting Alejandro Garnacho’s curler, Vicario saved a Shaw header inside stoppage time – a stop that ensured Spurs would have their name engraved on the trophy.

Amad’s pace caused Spurs problems in the opening stages

United’s starting XI pose for a customary pre-final photo on a noisy night in northern Spain

Our rich European history was once again honoured through a tifo banner in the stands

RED REFLECTIONS FROM SAN MAMES

What the boss and his charges said following the narrow loss...

RUBEN AMORIM

“The first half was a little bit tense. Possession for both teams was not long – we couldn’t keep the ball, and Tottenham were the same. A lot of second balls. In the second half, we pushed the opponent to near the box, we tried to cross, to create situations. They defended the goal they scored in the first half. We tried everything, but it was not enough.”

BRUNO FERNANDES

“It’s very sad. We wanted to win this more than anything. It’s a very sad day because we’ve done some very good things in this competition until today. But today was the day that mattered. It was the day we could have been in the history of the Europa League, but it’s not like that. And football is cruel, and it’s been our turn to lose. The players have said that this season has been unacceptable.”

LUKE SHAW

“I think we have to look at the positives and the only positive is that we can only go up from here. We’re rock-bottom now and we have to find the way to drag ourselves back. I can say 100 per cent right now that he [Ruben Amorim] is the right man. I know results have not been good at all. I’ve been here for a long time now and I’ve been through different managers but Ruben, for me – I talk on my behalf and I’m sure I can talk on behalf of all the players – Ruben is 100 per cent the right manager to take us back where this club should be. We’re very sorry for what they [supporters] have had to go through this season. I can only apologise to them for the season and just say thank you so much for the support. We do really appreciate it. After results like this, the season we’ve had, we have to question ourselves. It’s about where we go from here. Ruben for sure has a plan. He knows exactly what’s needed at this club. He’ll turn it around.”

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 Johnson 42

Manchester United 0

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero (c), van de Ven , Udogie (Spence 90); Bentancur, Bissouma , Sarr (Gray 90); Johnson (Danso 79), Solanke, Richarlison (Son 67)

Unused substitutes: Austin, Whiteman, Davies, Ajayi, Moore, Odobert, Scarlett, Tel

United XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire , Shaw; Mazraoui (Dalot 85), Casemiro, Fernandes (c), Dorgu (Mainoo 90); Amad , Mount (Garnacho 71); Hojlund (Zirkzee 71 )

Unused substitutes: Bayindir, Amass, Evans , Heaven, Lindelof, Collyer, Eriksen, Ugarte

Amorim and Ange Postecoglou embrace after the game on a night when Tottenham won their first European title since 1984

Shaw and his fellow Reds watch on as the trophy and medals are handed out

FINEST OF MARGINS

Wednesday night was a difficult watch for everyone of a United persuasion, as we were unable to capitalise on having 73 per cent possession at San Mames, while limiting Spurs to a solitary shot on target – a scrambled sucker-punch just before the break that would give Ange Postecoglou’s side a precious half-time lead. But as the tense final wore on, better chances did fall for Ruben Amorim’s side – none more so than in the 68th minute, when Rasmus Hojlund directed a header goalwards following an error from Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario. As the ball looped towards the net (left), it seemed inevitable that the Reds were back on level terms... only for Micky van de Ven to somehow get his foot to the ball just as it was about to cross the line. Another goal-bound header, this time from Luke Shaw, was equally agonising to watch as Vicario dived fast and low to palm the ball away in the seventh minute of added time – at which point it became sadly clear that it just wasn’t going to be our night in Bilbao...

STAR PERFORMERS & STANDOUT STRIKES

As 2024/25 draws to a close, we salute the winners of the club’s annual end-of-season awards, spread across our various squads…

Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and Men’s Players’ Player of the Year:

Bruno Fernandes

United’s skipper was named the supporters’ star man for a record-equalling fourth time, taking 82 per cent of all votes cast and joining former team-mates David De Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo as the award’s all-time reigning benchmarks. His closest competitors were Amad and Harry Maguire, who finished second and third respectively in the final poll. Bruno also emerged victorious in the annual dressing-room ballot for the first time in his Reds career, seeing off the challenges of second-placed Noussair Mazraoui and Amad, who took third spot.

Men’s Goal of the Season:

Amad

v Manchester City ( a )

United’s Ivorian speedster did take home an award for his season’s work, however, bagging the prize for the Reds’ Goal of the Season with

his brilliantly taken winner at the Etihad in December. Amad’s skill, coolness and dexterity – allied to completing a last-gasp derby victory in the league contest – just about edged a highly competitive poll. His 25 per cent of votes proved enough to see off late challenges posed by Mason Mount’s long-range cracker against Athletic Club and Kobbie Mainoo’s priceless leveller at home to Lyon.

Our skipper retained his Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award to join two of his former team-mates as a four-time winner of the trophy

Runner-up in the men’s POTY category, Amad’s derby winner was voted Goal of the Season

Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year:

Tyler Fredricson

As evidenced by his seamless step up to first-team duties when called upon by Ruben Amorim, Fredricson’s character is without question, and the 20-year-old Mancunian capped a fine campaign’s work throughout the Reds’ ranks by picking up the club’s Reserve-Team Player of the Year award. Nick Cox, United’s Director of Academy, explained: “Tyler has shown fantastic qualities of perseverance, determination and patience to earn first-team opportunities this season.”

Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year:

Harry Amass

Similarly, Amorim has been able to rely on 18-year-old defender Amass (right) in senior football this term, and the former Watford prodigy – who joined the Reds ahead of 2023/24 – topped off his breakthrough season with the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award. “We’re delighted to recognise Harry’s hard work and achievements with this award,” said Cox. “Since joining the club, he’s shown an ability to adapt, settle into a new environment and progress as a person and a player.”

Women’s

Team Player of the Year:

Ella Toone

Team talisman Ella Toone was named the star turn for the second successive year, but it was a close-run victory as Marc Skinner’s side –who secured Champions League qualification and reached a third successive FA Cup final –featured a number of star performers during the course of a memorable campaign. Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce pushed United’s no.7 all the way, finishing second, ahead of third-placed skipper Maya Le Tissier.

An outstaning campaign for Tullis-Joyce was recognised by her peers

Women’s Team Players’ Player of the Year:

Phallon Tullis-Joyce

United’s solid defensive record underpinned an impressive season, and at the heart of that was the stellar form of goalkeeper Tullis-Joyce. The 28-year-old American shared the WSL’s Golden Glove award and received a first international senior call-up for her phenomenal efforts,

6

and duly topped a dressing-room vote for the Reds’ star player in her maiden season as starting stopper.

Women’s Goal of the Season:

Ella Toone v West Bromwich Albion ( h )

Having won the Goal of the Season award last term with her spectacular FA Cup final opener against Spurs, United’s no.7 retained the honour with a fabulous curling effort from the edge of the box which nestled in the West Brom netting via the underside of the crossbar. Toone’s cracker finished ahead of second-placed Grace Clinton, who clubbed home a sublime long-ranger at Aston Villa, and third-placed Maya Le Tissier with a crisp half-volley at Everton.

Women’s U21s Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year:

Lucy Crook, Millie Crook

With strong cup campaigns and a second-placed league finish, the Reds’ Under-21s could reflect on a season of progress in 2024/25, and United’s backroom staff crowned defender Lucy Crook. The U21s squad, meanwhile, named goalkeeper Millie Crook as their Players’ Player of the Year. Further down the age bands, Lucy R scooped a personal double as both Players’ and Coaches’ Player of the Year for the Reds’ U16s, and the Emma Fletcher Academy Player of the Year award was taken home by Grace T. Congratulations, all!

Goalkeeper Millie Crook won the Players’ Player of the Year award for our U21s Women

Toone held on to her Player of the Year crown despite plenty of candidates in the closely contested women’s team category, while Ella’s long-ranger against West Brom was voted as the Reds’ best goal

Bruno:

IN HIS TEAM MATES’ WORDS

Bruno Fernandes’s coronation as the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for 2024/25 felt inevitable for months – certainly long before the voting opened on 12 May.

And when the final count was complete, the verdict that fans had returned was utterly emphatic, confirming what we had suspected for months: that the Portuguese’s goals, assists, tackles and raging intensity had earned him a record-equalling fourth Player of the Year.

He received the trophy at Old Trafford in the week before the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao, and now stands proudly alongside David De Gea and Bruno’s fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo as one of only three Reds to win Sir Matt’s award on four separate occasions.

We know intimately what supporters think about Bruno and the contribution he has made to the Manchester United story over the last five-and-a-half seasons. We hear the songs sung in his honour cascading down terraces every week, home and away. We know too about how many pundits and ex-players admire his ability and his relentless output.

But to really establish just how important the 30-year-old is to this United squad, you probably need to question one source and one source only: his team-mates. The ones who share the sanctity of those Carrington and Old Trafford dressing rooms with him every day. For that is where the character of Fernandes is revealed in its totality.

The first-team squad gave an inkling as to their thinking when deciding that this season’s Players’ Player of the Year award should also go to the captain – the first time our no.8 has won that particular prize since joining the Reds. But, specifically, what is it that makes Bruno Fernandes – both player and skipper – so special in the eyes of those that know him best?

Take it away, lads…

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‘IT’S

A PLEASURE TO PLAY ALONGSIDE HIM’ CASEMIRO

“Bruno is the heartbeat of the team. The team plays how he plays and how he wants. If he wants the team to play further forward, if he wants the team to keep possession, the team keeps possession. He is the most important player in the team, especially going forward. He is the player that scores the most, gets the most assists and takes the most risks. He gives absolutely everything. Sometimes things don’t go well for us, but he is always giving his all. I think we must enjoy Bruno. I love playing with him and, of course, it is a pleasure to play alongside him. He scores, he defends, he attacks. He is the figure of United.”

‘HE’S EXACTLY WHAT A CAPTAIN SHOULD BE’

JOSHUA ZIRKZEE

MY FAVOURITE BRUNO GOAL...

“There are many! It is impossible. It wouldn’t be fair to talk about just one goal of his, and he gets loads of assists... but I think the goal against Arsenal [9 March 2025], from the free-kick.”

“I think everyone knows how much more difficult this season could have been without Bruno. A great player. For the big player that he is, he’s still so humble and normal. You can always joke around with him. He’s always talking. As a team-mate on the pitch, he might scream at you, but there will never be a moment where he will disrespect you. He will always have your back, and that’s exactly what a captain is supposed to do. He does everything for the team: running, fighting. Everything is for the team and that I respect so much. He’s not the greatest Uno player, but a couple more trips and he’ll improve! But Bruno is a very special player.”

‘HE’S A MANAGER ON THE PITCH’ TOBY COLLYER

“He’s the captain for a reason. He’s really good at motivating everyone; really good at helping everyone. Me playing next to him in that Rangers game, he helped me so much with the experience that he has, with his communication skills... he was able to help me with things and I wouldn’t ask to play next to anyone else. If I could take one part of his game, it would be his awareness. He just knows everything that’s going on. He can play in one position, but he knows what’s happening in every single part of the pitch. I’ve never seen anything like it, it’s crazy. It’s like a manager on the pitch.”

‘HE TRIES

TO INVOLVE EVERYONE’ LENY YORO

“Bruno is a top player. He’s really good this season, but in the other seasons he was good too. To have him on the pitch is a really good thing for us; to have a captain like that is very good. Even outside the pitch, he speaks with everyone, every young player... he tries to involve everyone. So this is really good. He’s a real joker, always making jokes! But when you need to be serious on the pitch, he’s serious. He tries to involve everyone. He speaks with everyone, always with a smile, and this is what you need in the team. One word to describe Bruno? Magician!”

MY FAVOURITE BRUNO GOAL...

“I was not here yet, but you know the one against Liverpool? [7 April 2024] When the defender did a wrong pass and Bruno [hit it] one-touch from the half-pitch to a goal... that one was really good.”

‘IF YOU’RE

IN TROUBLE, YOU PASS TO BRUNO’ CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

‘HE HAS A CONNECTION WITH EVERYBODY’ TOM HEATON

“I think Bruno’s influence, ever since I’ve been at the club, has been massive. He’s only grown with that influence by taking the captaincy as well. It gave him a bit extra to focus on than he had before, but he’s handled it as a man, for the club and for the team. He’s an exceptional player. I think Bruno is a leader [through] his commitment on the pitch. You lean on to him, and he’s also the guy that, if you’re in any trouble, you pass the ball to him and he will try to help the team or do what he can. He is a leader on the pitch; he’s the one who makes everything tick for us. He’s always available, he’s always fit, he’s always really into it, he always wants to win. That goes on to everyone else who is trying to follow up and do something similar.”

‘EVEN WHEN I PLAYED AGAINST HIM, I LOVED HIM’ MASON MOUNT

“I played against him quite a few times, so I knew what a great player he was and what a game-changer he could be. It was always difficult to play against him because he’s one that will never stop. He’ll keep fighting, keep running, keep tackling. Even when I played against him, I loved that about him... because I want to be able to keep running, keep fighting and never give up, and he’s the epitome of that. When I joined the club, he was unbelievable. I got on so well with him from the get-go. He’s the club captain, so he leads by example on the pitch, off the pitch. He’s a top, top man. It’s very special to have him and what he’s been able to do this season – score goals, get assists – when times have been difficult just speaks volumes about what he is.”

“I find him a bit frustrating in training [laughs] because he’s one of those players that can do everything and it’s difficult as a goalkeeper! Especially in and around goal. He can bend it, he can strike through it, he can go round you... he’s top. His ability in terms of what he brings on the football pitch is special. On top of that, how he goes about his business every day in training... he’s bang at it every day and does

things properly. What people don’t always see are the demands that he puts on people. There’s not a person in the dressing room that he doesn’t have a connection with, in terms of getting the most out of them – supporting them when they need it, a quiet word in the ear, an arm round them, or whether it’s delivering a no-nonsense approach about needing more from them. He does that very well and he does it in his own way. Everyone across the squad feels that from him. I’ve seen him do it extremely well over the last few seasons.”

MY FAVOURITE BRUNO GOAL...

“I know one of his favourites is the goal against Burnley [left, 23 September 2023] where it came over his shoulder. There’s no way I can pick that with my history at Burnley! So for me, it would probably be the lob from the halfway line against Liverpool.”

MY FAVOURITE BRUNO GOAL...

“I liked the one against Burnley when he took it first time, or against Liverpool where he chips the keeper. I loved the free-kick against Everton, where he totally does the keeper. But I’d say the Galatasaray one [above, 29 November 2023], just because of the technique. That was an absolute banger.”

ASTON VILLA

EIGHT WINS IN THEIR LAST NINE PREMIER LEAGUE OUTINGS HAS BROUGHT UNAI EMERY’S SIDE RIGHT INTO CONTENTION FOR A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOT, MEANING THEY’LL HAVE PLENTY TO PLAY FOR AS THEY VISIT OLD TRAFFORD FOR A MILESTONE 200TH MEETING WITH THE REDS...

Nickname: The Villans

Founded: 1874

Ground: Villa Park (capacity 42,657)

Last season: Premier League, 4th

Top achievements:

English league champions: 1893/94, 1895/96, 1896/97, 1898/99, 1899/1900, 1909/10, 1980/81

FA Cup winners: 1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957

League Cup winners: 1961, 1975, 1977, 1994, 1996

European Cup winners: 1982

European Super Cup winners: 1982

NEED TO KNOW

Aston Villa knew exactly what they needed from the season’s final two fixtures: six points. The plan’s first half achieved with a routine 2-0 win over Tottenham a week Friday ago, Unai Emery’s side visit Old Trafford knowing nothing less than another victory is likely to be enough for the Villans to bag Champions League football for a second successive season.

That Villa are part of a five-team sprint for the remaining three spots in Europe’s elite competition next term is testament to their surging season-ending form. Villa have won eight of nine league outings since a debilitating 4-1 loss to Crystal Palace at the end of February seemed to have ended hopes for a top-five finish – at the start of that month they trailed thirdplaced Nottingham Forest by 10 points, but go into the final day one point ahead of Nuno’s side.

“We are going to Manchester for the last three points and for us it will be important to prepare and to focus everybody,” said Emery after goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara sealed that Spurs win. “We have to enjoy the process. It is about how we are performing, and how we are struggling sometimes.”

strong run to the finish line

Emery and Villa transfer guru Monchi have learned from last season when, despite finishing fourth, a flagging team won just two of their final eight league games and lost to Olympiacos in the Conference League semi-finals. The 53-year-old Basque boss’s surgical squad improvements this winter

TACTICS BOARD

Latest news from the Villans’ camp, plus profiles and tactics...

window have helped rest tired legs, and no team has averaged more Premier League points per game since the window closed.

Andres Garcia and Donyell Malen arrived on permanent deals, while loanees Marco Asensio, Axel Disasi and Marcus Rashford – ineligible today against his parent club – have provided alternatives. Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Asensio, who won three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid, has replaced Youri Tielemans’ creativity since the Belgian schemer’s untimely injury against Fulham at the beginning of May. Ex-Borussia Dortmund forward Malen, meanwhile, is a game-changing option off the

Emery has settled on a 4-2-3-1 since abandoning experiments with a 4-4-2 early in the season and a disastrous back-three in the dispiriting 4-1 February loss to Crystal Palace. A more solid tactical shape now attempts to deny space for opposition players to thread through balls between the lines in central areas – a recurring problem in Villa’s inconsistent early-season form – and has brought about the recent surge in Martinez clean sheets, plus the return to fitness of left-footed centre-backs Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres. Emery selects the former for a front-footed, physical option and the latter if he prefers consistent possession from defence. In the hamstrung Tielemans’ continued absence, Amadou Onana and Kamara offer complementary dynamism and ball-winning abilities, with Asensio given creative licence as a no.10 behind top scorer Ollie Watkins. Captain John McGinn can play in any midfield position, while Ian Maatsen and Lucas Digne compete for the left-back spot – the former often inverting into midfield and the latter more an overlapping threat.

bench – at Southampton, the Dutchman came on with the game scoreless, with his injection of pace and a well-taken goal securing a 3-0 win. Defensive improvements have been no less central to the post-February uptick. Operating with a slightly less ruthless offside trap as the season has gone on, Villa’s back four have kept a clean sheet in six of their past nine league games – twice as many as they had recorded in their previous 28 encounters.

“I am really excited,” Emery said recently. “I do not want holidays now. I am really full of energy, motivated by how we are playing now, how we are competing.”

Ezri Konsa scores Villa’s opener in their vital home win against Tottenham last time out

RECORD BREAKING NO.11

Ollie Watkins

Watkins’ 75th top-flight Villa goal – a deft flick from Morgan Rogers’ delicious cross to beat Bournemouth 1-0 a fortnight ago – took the 29-year-old former Exeter and Brentford forward past Gabriel Agbonlahor as the club’s record Premier League marksman after another deadly season. Five years into his B6 stay, the one-time Weston-super-Mare loanee is the quintessential modern centre-forward, running channels and, as his back-post header for Ezri Konsa’s opener last weekend against Tottenham proved, setting up team-mates in equal measure.

ALL-ROUND ATTACKER

Morgan Rogers

It’s hard to believe this is only former West Brom and Manchester City academy graduate Rogers’ first full Premier League season. An initial £8m buy from Championship side Middlesbrough in January 2024, the 22-year-old has exploded among the elite this term – 14 goals and 15 assists in all competitions are comfortably career-best numbers, with a Champions League hat-trick against Celtic and typically calm quarter-final goal at Paris Saint-Germain proof of Rogers’ ability to mix it with Europe’s best. A rare amalgam of upper-body strength, dexterous touch and tactical intelligence, compared to Wayne Rooney by no poorer judge than England great Glenn Hoddle, the versatile attacking midfielder is also lining up for the Three Lions. “Some people can go straight to the top and fit in,” Rogers said recently of his initially circuitous route to the summit that included third and second-tier loans at Lincoln, Bournemouth and Blackpool before his Boro spell. “I needed games in the EFL to mould me and improve me.” Unai Emery’s most-used outfield player this term, Rogers’ consistency is as impressive as his natural talent.

COMMANDING STOPPER

Emiliano Martinez

Nicknamed ‘Dibu’ for his likeness to a cartoon character back in Argentina, the goalkeeping pantomime villain was visibly emotional when waving goodbye to Villa Park for another season last weekend, a sixth clean sheet in his past nine league outings proof of another fine campaign. The 32-yearold 2022 World Cup winner has won the past two Yashin Trophies as FIFA’s best custodian, his ability to rile opposition forwards as vital to a sizeable armoury that includes lightning reflexes and excellent communication.

THE SQUAD GOALKEEPERS

DEFENDERS

MIDFIELDERS

FORWARDS

Frequent foes, today’s teams have traded myriad players and three 7-0 scorelines over the years – Villa’s December 1930 victory is the Reds’ joint-record defeat. Under ex-Reds boss Ron Atkinson, the Villans were the main challengers for our droughtending 1992/93 title and got their revenge a season later in winning the League Cup, but pickings have been slimmer since. From our ‘you’ll-never-win-anything-with-kids’ 3-1 defeat in August 1995, the Reds lost one Premier League encounter throughout the next 26 years, with Robin van Persie’s 2013 hat-trick – including that volley [right] – sealing top-flight title no.20. Today’s 200th meeting has much to live up to.

DID YOU KNOW?

→ Villa boss from 1886 to 1926, Gordon Ramsay sits level with Brian Clough in second on the all-time list of managerial victories over the Reds (18). Widely regarded as football’s first paid manager and a pioneer of the passing game, Ramsay (right) won six First Division titles in his four-decade spell with the Brummies.

→ No player has scored more times for United in this fixture than the legendary Jack Rowley. ‘Gunner’ hit 14 of his 211 Red goals against Villa between 1938 and 1954, level with club-record scorer Wayne Rooney.

199 PLAYED

2 May 1981, Highbury: it’s Villa’s final game of the ’80/81 season, and with them being on the brink of winning a first league title in 71 years, the Villans travelled south in huge numbers to pack out Arsenal’s away end. Needing a point to make certain of the title ahead of Bobby Robson’s Ipswich, a 0-2 deficit to the Gunners at the break left Ron Saunders’ Villa in a position as precarious as those pictured on their tip-toes in the back row – whose view of the game clearly depended on having a very firm grip of the corrugated fence behind them! While these supporters would have no goals to celebrate that day, as Arsenal saw out the two-goal win, when news came through of Ipswich’s defeat at Middlesbrough – no doubt via several pocket radios belonging to fans in this photo – the Villa faithful spilled on to the pitch in celebration at full-time. Villa were English champions for a seventh time – and 12 months later they’d be kings of Europe...

→ Reds goalkeeper Ray Wood played through our 2-1 1957 FA Cup final defeat to Aston Villa with a fractured cheekbone. After a late challenge from Villa forward Peter McParland (right), who sadly died this month, in the sixth minute, the stricken Wood moved to outside-right with Jackie Blanchflower taking his place between the sticks in an era of no substitutes. A virtual passenger, he returned in goal after Tommy Taylor’s late goal gave us a sniff at an improbable comeback but to no avail.

fans in the far east await reds p30-31 / your messages and pictures p32-36

The day of a lifetime WE ALL FOLLOW UNITED!

Players and fans came together to make precious memories recently, when MUDSA visited Carrington

Members of the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association (MUDSA) were given a real treat earlier this month, when they visited our Carrington training ground for a special behind-the-scenes experience with the men’s first team.

The day started with breakfast, before fans were able to watch Ruben Amorim’s players and staff continue preparations for our recent Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Afterwards, Bruno Fernandes and co headed inside to spend some quality time with our guests, during which the MUDSA Reds present were able to chat with Ruben and many of Bruno’s colleagues. There might have been one or two photos, too – not to mention the odd shirt signing.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic,” said one fan, Graeme. “It’s been a dream come true to actually meet the guys that you go and watch every week and have a good old natter with them.”

Graeme even took the opportunity to personally serenade our Portuguese head coach with the terrace anthem that has now become synonymous with his spell at Old Trafford!

“I decided to have a little sing-song with him,” Graeme laughed. “‘Ruben Amorim, he’ll make the club great again, we’ll back him from the Stretford End, to turn the Reds around!’ He just had a laugh and a joke with me and he really took it well.”

“It’s been an absolutely incredible day and you can see everyone’s actually loving it,” buzzed Joe Smith,

another of the Reds lucky enough to get the chance to visit Carrington. “I’ve never been here before, so it’s an absolute honour. Driving in, it’s such a secluded place, so it feels special being here, because it’s not somewhere everyone can come. I feel really honoured. All the players came round, had a picture with us, signed our shirts. This

[points at this season’s third shirt, covered in signatures] will be going in a frame when I get home... I’m delighted. It will be pride of place in the living room!”

It was a fantastic day for both players and fans, and rich reward for the immense contribution that MUDSA makes to our fan culture, year in, year out.

MUDSA members enjoy a private audience with Ruben Amorim and members of his squad during a Carrington visit earlier this month

‘WE’LL BE WAITING AT THE AIRPORT!’

This afternoon marks the end of the Premier League season, but for Reds in Asia, the excitement is just about to begin...

Today, Manchester United take to the field for our final competitive fixture of the 2024/25 season, against Aston Villa. But there’s more football still to come.

Shortly after the full-time whistle here at Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim and the team will fly to Malaysia, where on Wednesday we’ll play the first of two post-season fixtures.

In Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil National Stadium, we’ll take on ASEAN All-Stars (1.45pm BST), ahead of a match with Hong Kong, China, on 30 May

(1pm BST) in Hong Kong. For United’s fans in the Far East, it’s a thrilling prospect – we’ve not visited Malaysia or Hong Kong since 2009 and 2013, respectively.

“For every United supporter here, especially those who have yet to go to Old Trafford or to see their heroes in action live, it will be unbelievable,” says Bat Jingulam, who has headed up our Malaysian supporters’ club since 2015.

“Even as early as the first announcement about United coming over, I’ve had so many questions,

such as ‘where will the players be staying?’, ‘where will they be training?’, or ‘what will their itinerary be over here?’... I can see many of them stalking the players wherever they go!” he jokes. “But who can blame them? It is not often you get to see people you worship in the flesh. It is an opportunity that may never arise again in the future.”

The fans hope to welcome Ruben’s Reds at the airport upon arrival, and are looking forward to demonstrating their fervent support for the team during Wednesday’s match. Reds will be flocking

Our supporters in Malaysia are relishing the arrival of the Reds as we begin our special post-season trip to the Far East

to KL from across a country which is home to more than 34 million people.

“Our members come to the thousands, and we come from all parts of Malaysia,” explains Bat. “We have Sabah Red Devils to cater for members in Sabah, which is the main base now, and MUSC Sarawak to cater for members in Sarawak. These two clubs operate in East Malaysia. Then we have Kuala Lumpur Mancunian Red Devils to cater for West Malaysia. All these three clubs come under the wide umbrella of MUSC Malaysia, or United Malaysia, as we are called nowadays.”

The supporters’ club was founded in 1991 by a small group of United enthusiasts, led by the late Laurence How. As the popularity of English football grew across the world during that decade and those that followed, the Malaysian branch mushroomed. Trips to Old Trafford have become more frequent too, and Bat says that it’s in M16 where the Malaysian Reds’ passion for United can be witnessed in its purest form.

“I have seen grown men cry on reaching Old Trafford, or watching a match there,” he smiles. “They forget their long travel or any jet lag they may have! For a first-timer it is an amazing feeling and something to savour all their lives. I had an

“It is not often you get to see people you worship in the flesh. It’s an opportunity that may never arise again in the future”

– Bat Jingulam, Malaysian supporters’ club

uncle who passed away a few years back and pictures of his trip were put on his coffin. When I asked the reason for it, his son told me that his trip to Old Trafford was the best day of his life. He wanted everyone to know this.”

But next to Old Trafford, welcoming United to KL, aka ‘The Garden City of Lights’, is the next best thing. And Bat says any local Reds making the trip from England are in for their own memorable experience, too.

“What’s the best thing about Malaysia? I believe it’s the friendliness of the people here,” he suggests. “Or maybe the nice beaches and mountains that we have. The food here is also something to anticipate, if you are planning to

come. We have one of the best islands in the world, Sipadan Island, Sabah, if you are a diving enthusiast. We also have the highest peak in south-east Asia in Mount Kinabalu.”

The Reds’ first trip to Asia since 2022 promises to be a fantastic occasion for all of our fans in the region, and precedes future pre-season appearances in other hotbeds of United support, Scandinavia and the United States, later this summer. If you’re planning on travelling to Malaysia or Hong Kong, why not get in touch with our local supporters’ clubs in both countries?

You can find more information via ManUtd.com/fans/supporters-clubs

Below: Bat (third from right) and friends extend a warm welcome to Treble-winning hero Dwight Yorke during a meet-and-greet last year, and that same friendly hospitality awaits Ruben Amorim and his squad

Trips to Old Trafford have provided our fans in Malaysia with some highly memorable and emotional experiences, ones they will add to when the Reds touch down in their home country next week

MESSAGES for matchday

SHOUT-OUTS!

Happy 18th birthday, Kiran Madden.

Welcome to the game, Matthew Pratley-Dean. We hope you have a great day at the Theatre of Dreams.

Happy 60th birthday to Valentin, a devoted United fan for more than 30 years and husband to Nada. They’re both here today from Canada for their first game.

Happy 21st birthday to Patrick McGrath, here today with dad Lee.

Happy 21st birthday, Benjamin Preece-Santos! Manchester United welcomes you to Old Trafford.

Happy seventh birthday to Noah Gontier. He’s here for his first game today, so let’s make it the perfect present with a win!

‘Dear Martin, may all roads clear, bringing only love and new adventures for you. Hoping that you enjoy your day today and know that we all love you! Paul.’

Happy 30th birthday to you for 20 May, Alexander Gibby. We hope you had a brilliant day.

Happy 13th birthday to Oliver Hocknell Petznick!

Happy sixth birthday to Jack Rigg, and have a great time today at Old Trafford for your first game.

Happy 12th birthday, Cian Creighton. Love Dad, Aisling and Jack.

Congratulations to Georgia Veitch-Maines on her 18th birthday. With lots of love from Mum, Grandma and Grandpa.

Happy birthday to Seth, who is nine today. His favourite player is Bruno Fernandes. Mum, Dad, sister Nancy and his grandparents couldn’t be more proud of him.

Happy ninth birthday to Archie Smith from the Isle of Man! Today is his first trip to Old Trafford to see his heroes.

Happy ninth birthday to Saoirse Kelly from Ireland. We hope you enjoy your first Old Trafford trip. Love, Mum, Dad and Kensie.

We’d like to wish a happy birthday to avid United fan Alfie Stainton for 19 May. We hope it was a great day, Alfie.

Happy 12th birthday to season ticket holder Sam Wilson

Devin Redpath celebrated his ninth birthday watching United v Man City. He travels to games with his dad and his favourite player is Bruno Fernandes.

‘Happy 16th birthday to Ronnie Whaley, a huge United fan. Have an amazing day, matey. Love, Mum, Noah, Grant and Nan.’

Tiernan McAreavey, 11, is here today from Ireland. Have a wonderful time at your first United game.

Welcome to Eoghan, eight, and Alana, 11, two massive United fans from Ireland. Their favourite player is Alejandro Garnacho.

Happy 18th birthday to Pierce Kenshole. We hope you have a wonderful, memorable day!

Ann and Alan Siddall celebrate their diamond anniversary on 31 July. Ann attended games in the ’50s and ’60s with her dad, Sam Tierney. Love from all the family.

Happy 14th birthday, Lewis Baber. He’ll be at Old Trafford for Soccer Aid, and hopefully one day will play here! Love Mum, Dad and Seamus.

Jayke is here for today’s game and is football mad. If he isn’t playing, he’s watching. This picture was taken when we played Everton for his ninth birthday.

Welcome to the world, baby Brody! Like his parents Ryan, Molly and the rest of the family, he’s looking forward to a bright future at Old Trafford.

Happy first birthday, Rory. Lots of love from Mama, Dada, Mylo and Mirabel.

It’s a dream come true today for George, who’s here at his first game to celebrate his 60th birthday with his children. Many happy returns!

Happy birthday to season ticket holder Freddie Park, who turned eight on 7 May. He’s a big United fan who sits in the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, and loves coming to Old Trafford with his dad.

Lace of Base, happy 40th birthday to my wife and best friend. I’m so glad to spend it together with you at our very first Manchester United match. I hope we’re back here in 40 more! Love, Troy.

Happy 40th birthday, Rob Butcher. With love from Marie, George, Leanne and Sofia.

Kamron and Aaron are visiting Old Trafford for the first time. We hope you both have the best day ever! Love you always, Uncle Raj and Aunty Dee.

Happy 13th birthday to Jensen for 12 May. He’s a massive Red whose favourite player is Alejandro Garnahco. Love from Mum, Danny and everyone at United.

Happy 30th birthday, Junior UTR! Have an amazing time. Lots of love, Maya and Himat.

Happy 39th birthday, Oliver – you really are just getting better and better with age! Thank you for always taking care of us and being our rock. Tanya and Clark.

‘I’d like to thank the Staffing Team at United (Unit 30) for a fantastic season. They work endlessly to make sure every game or shift is a successful one for all the staff in the public catering sector, which includes BOH, Retail Kiosk Assistants, Champion Supervisors, Supervisors, Area Managers, FOH and The Welcome Team. Here’s to another great season in 2025/26! – Kalpana Patel (Service Champion – Red Army Concourse)’.

Happy birthday to Penelope Shaw, who was one on 30 April.

Happy 15th birthday to Alex Nolan, a huge United fan from Ireland. We hope you enjoy the day. Love from Gary, Jackie, Leigh, Ryan and Katie.

Happy ninth birthday for 24 May to Ronnie and Roxie McCarthy, twin sisters who have been Reds since birth.

Happy 12th birthday, Oliver. Have a great time at the match. Lots of love, Mum and Dad.

Happy eighth birthday, Magnus Enjoy the game today and have a fantastic birthday. Lots of love, Mum, Dad and Vogue.

Happy fifth birthday to Zayd, who has been a United fan ever since he was born and is here today for his first time at Old Trafford.

Welcome to Norman, Jack, Drew and Pinky, travelling from Northern Ireland to watch the match.

Happy 10th birthday, Mikey Dingley, and have a great time at your first game at Old Trafford! Lots of love from Mam, Dad and brothers Henry and Bobby.

We welcome Sheá Scullion and Rossagh Hughes, from Ireland, to their first ever United game at the Theatre of Dreams and hope you both have a great day. With love from your mummies and daddies.

After 65+ years of coming to Old Trafford, Brian and Cynthia Cherry will be hanging up their scarves after today – but they’ll still be following the Reds from their armchairs!

Congratulations to Thomas Scott and Katherine Marquez, who are getting married in June. Here’s to many happy years of marriage and watching the Reds from the Stretford End!

Hello to Michael McGinty, big and small. It’s big Michael’s birthday today and he’s here with his son, Michael Jnr. Many happy returns!

Hello to Jolene and Daniel, from Calgary, Canada. Enjoy the experience, and come on, United!

Wishing a happy 88th birthday to Beryl Townsend for 24 May. She’s been a season ticket holder in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand for 72 years. Here’s hoping we can give you a win to help celebrate today.

Sending big birthday wishes to Bentil Akanvariba for 26 May.

Happy 40th birthday, Ross Ormsby, and happy wedding anniversary to you and Caitlyn Collyer! They’ve come all the way from Toronto.

Happy 40th birthday, Stuart Noone. Love from Mum and Gaz.

Many happy returns to Gabriella Dillon for her 10th birthday on 28 May. Have the best time celebrating!

Daniel M Thangkhiew is a huge Red, whose favourite player is Bruno Fernandes. Happy birthday!

We hope Leo Comsa, 11, had a brilliant time on his first visit to Old Trafford, for the West Ham game.

‘Chris (or Sigger): happy 40th bro, we love you so much! The fam.’

Happy ninth birthday to Advay, here all the way from Cape Town.

Happy 21st birthday, Hunter Phelps.

Lenny Cleaver is here to celebrate turning 13. He’s supported United since he was two and comes to most games. Have a very happy birthday, Lenny.

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

Peter Warburton has been coming to watch United since he was a boy, and today he’s attending his final game as a season ticket holder, alongside his daughter Lindsay and grandson Sam.

Many happy returns to season ticket holder Lyla Morrell, who turns 18 on 14 May. She’s pictured here with dad Dave at the trip to Porto earlier this season.

Happy 16th birthday to Zac Rogers, a lifelong United fan. Hope you have a great day. Love from Mum and Dad.

Welcome Jack Stenson, born on 30.03.2025. A lifetime of supporting the greatest football club on Earth. Love, Mummy, Daddy and Alice.

Hanna Espeland came to Old Trafford from Norway with her family for the West Ham game, to celebrate turning 11. We hope you had a brilliant trip.

Happy 58th birthday for 29 May to David Evans Lots of love from Jan, Luke and Lilia.

Craig and brother, Jesse, enjoyed a trip to Old Trafford on 11 May for Craig’s ninth birthday, and are excited to be here again today. Love, Mum and Dad.

Happy 13th birthday to you, Miles Wareing. Have a brilliant time at the game with Dad.

Happy birthday to Pat McElevey (left), a Dundalk Red who celebrates turning 70 on 31 May.

Happy 50th birthday, Martyn Piercy –from your wife, Claire, and your mate, Vinny.

A massive happy birthday to junior Red Sophie Dean for 25 May. Wishing you a lovely day, with love from Mum, Louise and Nana Alma and Frank, and everyone here at United.

Get well soon, Oscar Hurst, aged seven. You’ll be back on the football pitch before you know it.

Yico is such a big United fan. When her favourite player, Mason Mount, scored twice against Athletic Club, she cried with excitement!

Congratulations to United fans Gareth and Jade, who got married on 4 May – they even played This Is the One and received these commemorative United shirts!

Scan to make a donationand support St John Ambulance Salford & Trafford Network

keeping communities

‘A once in a lifetime experience to visit Old Trafford and watch United. Come on, you Reds! Dennis and Adam from Australia.’

‘Happy 40th to my husband, Ján Tóth, for 16 May. He’s a long-time, loyal and persistent fan from Slovakia, and his heart beats for United. Love from Erika.’

Happy 18th birthday for the end of May to Harry Birch from Altrincham, a big United fan who has been to every home game this season.

Happy birthday to Amelia Rose Perkins, who will be 12 on Monday 26 May. Lots of love, Mum and Dad.

Happy 11th birthday, Jacob! Lots of love from Dad, Mum and Michaela.

We are so proud of you, Joshua. Love Mum, Dad, Thomas and Ace.

Many happy returns to Calvin, a big United fan who celebrated a birthday on 24 May.

Hello to Taylor Bickerstaffe and Alex Ng – have a great time today.

Happy 11th birthday to Joseph! Love Mummy and Ava.

‘After nearly nine years, I’ve convinced my fiancée to travel up to Manchester with me and she is bringing United’s newest fan, who is due to be born in October –Josh and Katie from Reading.’

Thank you to Brian Connolly, an 82-year-old Red who’s had a season ticket since he was 15.

Today is his last match – we are so grateful for your support.

Happy 80th birthday for 24 May to Roy, with love from all the family. He’s here today with wife Ann and pictured with his grandchildren, James, Henry and Elizabeth.

IN MEMORIAM

Naresh Kumar Jairath sadly passed away on 28 April at the age of 79. He was a devoted Red whose loyalty spanned decades, beginning with the era of the iconic Busby Babes. As a boy, he fell in love with the club’s spirit and elegance. Naresh never missed a match and his belief in the team was unshakeable. Whether the club was thriving or through transition, his support was steadfast. He instilled the importance of loyalty within his family, nurturing a legacy of Reds that will endure for generations. A household filled with United memorabilia, Naresh loved sharing stories of legendary matches, instilling a love for the club in his children and grandchildren. Once a Red, always a Red.

‘My dad, Paul Whittey, grew up in Stockport, born in 1964. He always loved one thing and that was Manchester United. Football gives hope and that is what my dad needed. While I was growing up, United was always on the TV, whether this was a game or a press conference (he was obsessed!). Little did I know that the passion would pass on to myself. Sadly, he passed away on 19 April, a week before his 61st birthday, in Belfast. The last memories were during the amazing win v Lyon! Watching United with Dad was always special because of how this club makes you feel. We have now passed this on to my daughter, Wynn, who may only be two but every time any football is playing she is always shouting, “Come on, United!” Dad, we miss and love you dearly.’

Mark Walsh was a much-loved member of the security team at Old Trafford. He was an amazing, humble person, who loved United. RIP Walshy, from CSG Security Team, and love and condolences to the family at this difficult time.

In loving memory of Nathan Richardson (left of photo), aged 44. Nathan was a true Red, he was always proud to wear a shirt, and he had lots of memories of going to games. A much-loved dad, brother, son and uncle. Missed beyond words, loved beyond measure.

‘In memory of my dad, Andy Holmes, who I spent 12 amazing years watching United with. Win, lose or draw, we went through it all together. It’s not the same without him, but I know he’s still watching every game from up there, hoping, like me, that the Reds can get back to their best. Thanks for all the memories, Dad.’

In loving memory of Curtis Campbell, who passed away suddenly on 31 March. He will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him and he could always put a smile on Tegan’s face with his cheeky one-liners, his laugh and ‘Uncle Curtis’ hugs that would fill you with love and laughter. RIP, Bengaz.

Lifelong United fan and long-time season ticket holder Ian Seaman passed away on 5 May at the age of 55. He sat in K-Stand, top left, for decades and will be sadly missed by all his fellow Reds up there. A native of Simister, he always said his greatest moment following United was the Cup Winners’ Cup final in Rotterdam. He knew Sir Alex was going to make us great again. God rest you, Ian.

Lifelong United supporter and match-goer, David Burgess (known to many as Burge), 52, sadly passed away suddenly on 10 May. He was a vociferous Red with a love of many a debate on football... and music... and politics, well, anything that was on his mind! Burge will be greatly missed by everyone who had the honour and pleasure to know him; we promise to keep his unquenchable lust for life going.

In memory of Fred (Neil) Hartley, who sadly passed away in March. He was a large part of the Barnsley MUSC branch, always ready with a smile and a friend to all. He will be greatly missed.

A friend to all, Charlie/Laddo (as he was often known) was a true United fan. Wherever he went in the world, his heart and his passion for THE club went with him. He always carried his love for the Reds, wherever he was, and it was always about Manchester United. The Landa family of Kings Heath, Birmingham, would like to pay tribute to their no.1 United fan, Navinder S. Landa. Love you always – dad, grandad, and a friend to many across the world. We will forever miss you. Glory, glory Man United!

Tim Ward, pictured here in Barcelona in 1999, sadly passed away in February at the age of 59. He was a season ticket holder for years in South Stand and many people who still sit there will remember him with great affection. His son, Dan, still comes to games, as did his other sons, Ben and Sam, over the years. Rest in peace, Tim.

‘Our dad, Chris Lincoln, was a lifelong United fan, and his passion for the club was woven into the fabric of who he was, from the roar of Old Trafford to the quiet pride he carried after every win, and even in the tough seasons. United was more than a team to him; it was a part of his identity. He passed away aged 64, leaving behind cherished memories of the stories he told about legendary matches and players. His love for the game and the Reds was infectious, and it’s something that will always live on in the hearts of those who knew him. Glory, glory Man United.’

ECHOES OF GREATNESS

UR steps into the club museum archives, shining a light on three fascinating items linked to past legends of Old Trafford...

What makes a Manchester United player a club legend is a question with many answers. Being a brilliant footballer helps, and winning trophies certainly strengthens the case – but often there’s an intangible quality that goes beyond medals and stats. A Reds legend is someone who embodies the spirit and ethos of the club. Loyalty, leadership, match-winning moments, having a deep bond with the fans... they all leave a lasting imprint.

One bona fide United legend is Duncan Edwards, one of the 17 United greats who feature in the legends section of the Old Trafford museum. ‘Big Dunc’ sadly passed away 15 days after the Munich Air Disaster, from injuries sustained in the crash, aged just 21. Despite his premature passing, Edwards played 177 games for the Reds, scoring 21 goals, and was a stalwart for the Busby Babes, England (18 caps, five goals) and the Army.

Yes, that’s right – Duncan played for the Army XI after being called up for two years of national service in June 1955. Combining playing professional football with military service wasn’t easy, but it did help his fitness – the Dudley-born midfielder is thought to have played 180 matches for club, country and military between 1955-57.

Among the many items displayed in the club museum are international caps, which feature widely. These are awarded to players each time they line up for their national team in an official match, symbolising the honour of representing their country. The one pictured on the opposite page belonged to Sir Bobby Charlton and is effectively six caps in one. It covers the 1966

World Cup – at which he famously ended as a winner and was the Three Lions’ star player. Charlton played in all six matches and scored three goals, including both strikes in a 2-1 semi-final win over Portugal to seal a place in the final. Overall, he represented England 106 times. Finally, the captain’s armband shown here is an item linked to Roy Keane – although it would have been worn by other players when he was absent from the side. Keano’s captaincy was defined by fierce standards, relentless drive, and uncompromising leadership. He led by example, always demanding the best from team-mates and displaying an intensity and will to win that made him a dominant, respected figure on and off the pitch.

The legends section of the Old Trafford museum features 17 club icons

Each legend is represented by memorabilia reflecting their contribution to club and country

To find out more about United legends, visit the club museum –scan here for more, or to book

The armband of midfield general Roy Keane was worn during his eight-year club captaincy, from 1997 to 2005

The Army XI badge is part of the Duncan Edwards legends display, with the iconic powerhouse having represented the military team during two years of national service

The 1966 World Cup-winning cap of Ballon d’or winner Bobby Charlton is one of the more unique international artefacts in the museum’s legends collection

FOR THE CLUB

#16 AMAD

pre-match at Old trafford v Athletic Club, 08/05/25

200 TODAY!

This afternoon’s game marks a double-century of meetings between United and Villa – a landmark instalment of a rivalry which has enthralled since the 1890s...

united’s all-time record against aston villa, by competition

REDS BOSS THE RIVALRY

Overall, the balance in results between United and Villa is tipped firmly in the Reds’ favour, with our 106 wins more than doubling the Villans’ total of 51. Of the six competitions in which the sides have met, United have an inferior record in just one: the League Cup, and even there the tide is seemingly turning, with the Reds triumphing in the last two meetings…

IN THE DUGOUT

Ruben Amorim today becomes the 21st United manager to take charge of a game against the Villans. Between them, Sirs Alex Ferguson (60) and Matt Busby (43) helmed a staggering 103 of our meetings with the Midlanders, mustering win ratios of 63.3 per cent and 55.8 per cent respectively. The highest win ratio by any United manager in this fixture was built on a far smaller sample size, with David Moyes winning both of his head-to-heads with the Villans in 2013/14.

TOP SCORERS

Typically, two of United’s all-time great goal-getters head the scoring charts against Villa, with Jack Rowley (right) and Wayne Rooney bagging 14 goals apiece, in 21 and 25 outings respectively.

Tommy Taylor, the only other Red to

notch double figures in this rivalry, spread his 11 across just nine games, including a late consolation effort in the 1957 FA Cup final.

YOU AGAIN...

There is similar inevitability in the fact that, of the 470 Reds to have lined up against Villa, none have done so more times than Ryan Giggs, who tops the charts with 39. Moreover, the Welsh winger’s record was sensational, finishing on the winning side 27 times –including 12 in a row between March 2003 and March 2008 –drawing eight and losing just four. Incredibly, the Villans are only the fifth-most faced opponent in his career, comfortably lagging Arsenal and Chelsea (50 apiece), Liverpool (48) and Tottenham Hotspur (42).

Giggs’s all-time leading appearance record for the Reds includes 39 outings against the Midlanders

TREBLE-SHOOTERS

Though Giggs wasn’t one of the six Reds to notch a hat-trick against Villa, he did supply two-thirds of the most recent individual treble, teeing up Robin van Persie twice on the night that the Dutchman’s three-goal first-half salvo wrapped up United’s 20th league title. Before van Persie, the feat had been achieved by Jack Picken (1906), Charlie Mitten (1950), Tommy Taylor (1957), Denis Law (1964) and Mark Hughes (1985).

One of six Reds to notch a hat-trick against Villa, van Persie’s treble came in April 2013 as the Sir Alex Ferguson era ended with United’s 20th top-flight title

BIG-TIME CHARLIE

Mitten’s four-goal haul came in a 7-0 win over Villa in March 1950, an afternoon which remains untouched by time as the Reds’ biggest victory in this fixture (a scoreline matched in October 1964 and equalling Villa’s triumph of December 1930) and the only example of a United player scoring three penalties in the same game. The Reds have bagged a total of 24 spot-kicks in this fixture to Villa’s 16, with Mitten’s total of five putting him ahead of nearest rival Bruno Fernandes, who has three.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

In the long line of United debutants to score on their first-team bow, Aston Villa have been on the receiving end six times – the joint most of any other club, alongside Leicester City –including one for the Old Trafford annals. Kiko Macheda, aged just 17, left the bench and stole the show during April 2009’s must-win thriller with the Villans, curling home an injury-time

winner to put the Reds back on course for league title no.18. The Italian was just half the age of the previous debutant to net against the Midlanders, 35-year-old Henrik Larsson, whose crisp volley opened the scoring in 2007’s FA Cup home win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. Before Macheda and Larsson, all four instances of perfect bows against Villa came pre-war, via Thomas Fitzsimmons (1892), Sandy Turnbull (1907), William Henderson (1921) and Arthur Warburton (1930).

STAN AND DELIVER

The Football Association almost never bends its rules on cup-tied players, but made an exception of United in the aftermath of the Munich Air Disaster. As well as recruiting Ernie Taylor from Blackpool for the first post-crash fixture, an FA Cup fifth-round tie with Sheffield Wednesday, the Reds were allowed to sign Stan Crowther from Aston Villa on the day of the game. Crowther had been part of the Villa team to upset Matt Busby’s Babes at Wembley in the 1957 final and went on to help the Reds to the 1958 showpiece, missing out on an historic personal achievement as Bolton controversially took the Cup against the Reds.

SWITCHING SIDES, PT 1

The ferocious nature of renowned hard man Frank Barson is such that it should be little

surprise he occupies a unique place in United and Villa history. As well as captaining both clubs, he is the only player to have netted for each side in this fixture (discounting Jacob Ramsey’s 2022 afternoon of scoring at both ends). An irregular goalscorer, half-back Barson netted just three times in 152 Reds outings, but saved two of them for his former side, bagging in Old Trafford wins over the Villans in 1925 and 1926. Ashley Young, who lined up in this fixture eight times for United and 10 for Villa, is one of three Villa players who have scored against the Reds before later signing up, alongside Reg Chester and Treble winner Dwight Yorke.

SWITCHING SIDES, PT 2

Marcus Rashford, who has spent the second half of the current season on loan at Villa, has previously contested that his haul of 138 United goals should be one higher, as he had a header against Villa in December 2019 taken away from him. Reds colleague Tom Heaton was the unfortunate recipient of it, as Rashford’s effort bounced against the inside of the post, hit the then-Villa goalkeeper on the back and nestled in the Scoreboard End netting to be officially recognised as an own goal. Fun fact: Tom was the only Reds keeper in history to be credited with an own goal in United’s favour while playing for another club, until this season when he was joined by Rangers stopper Jack Butland.

Rashford’s header hits the inside of the woodwork before ricocheting into the net via Heaton, with the then-Villa keeper recorded as the unfortunate scorer

Seventeen-year-old Macheda fires home a late match-winner on his Reds debut in April 2009

Three of Mitten’s four goals in the 7-0 defeat of the Villans came from the penalty spot

GOALS, GOALS, GOALS

Goalmouth action is virtually guaranteed in this fixture, with an all-time average of 3.1 goals per game shared between the two sides. This season’s stalemate at Villa Park was only the ninth goalless draw in 199 showdowns, and only the second this millennium. The fixture’s nadir – in entertainment terms, at least – came between January 1996 and January 1997, when three successive Premier League stalemates sedated Old Trafford twice and Villa Park once. The run was ended by Ryan Giggs’s drilled effort as the Reds won 1-0 at home in December 1997.

BATTLING BACK

Should the Reds fall behind today, the weight of history suggests that all isn’t lost – particularly in the Premier League. Unai Emery’s side will remember all too well the feeling of their most recent visit to Old Trafford, where their two-goal interval lead

was wiped out in December 2023 by Alejandro Garnacho’s double and Rasmus Hojlund’s late winner. That was the Reds’ seventh Premier

League comeback win over Villa, a total topped only by 11 against Southampton and 10 against Newcastle.

REDS ON A ROLL

The Premier League era has played host to a period of United dominance over Villa, with a jaw-dropping benchmark set between March 2003 and March 2008, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side ran up 14 straight wins in this fixture, winning 11 league games and thrice knocking the Villans out of the FA Cup. That sequence of success came within a wider unbeaten run of 24 games which lasted just over a decade, between a Villa Park reverse in the 1999/2000 League Cup and Gabriel Agbonlahor’s headed Premier League winner in December 2009. For balance, Villa’s longest winning run is four straight games, set between November 1929 and December 1930’s 7-0 thrashing of the relegation-bound Reds, which fell during Villa’s longest unbeaten sequence of seven fixtures.

The Reds celebrate making it 14 straight wins in a row over Villa in March 2008

Villa’s last visit to Old Trafford – in December 2023 – saw Hojlund bag a late winner to overturn the visitors’ two-goal interval lead

THE RIVALRY, BY DECADE

1890 S (P4 W1 D0 L3)

Our first meeting with Villa went the way of Newton Heath, but the balance soon tipped as the emerging Midlanders became a force in English football. Villa’s home and away wins in 1893/94 contributed to their first league title, while the rock-bottom Heathens were relegated.

1900 S (P9 W5 D0 L4)

Renamed Manchester United and saved from financial ruin, the Reds’ resurgence was well illustrated by 1906’s FA Cup elimination of topflight Villa. By 1907/08, the pair were top dogs in English football, with United champions for the first time ahead of the second-placed Villans.

1910 S (P14 W5 D1 L8)

The Reds’ 1910 move to Old Trafford preceded another title race, United pipping reigning champions Villa to the 1910/11 title by a point. Before the First World War curtailed the game, however, the Reds had become First Division strugglers while Villa were thrice runners-up.

1920 S (P14 W5 D3 L6)

The two sides went their separate ways in the early part of the decade, with United spending three seasons in Division Two. The Reds’ top-flight return yielded spotty form against a Villa side near-resident in the top half, though 1927’s 5-1 romp provided a welcome high spot.

1930 S (P7 W2 D1 L4)

Villa’s chastening 7-0 win preceded United’s relegation in 1930/31, and meetings became scarce as the Reds continued to struggle. They next met in Division Two in 1937/38 and were promoted together before the following campaign was curtailed by the outbreak of the Second World War.

1940 S (P8 W6 D1 L1)

After losing half a decade during wartime, the Reds – now led by Matt Busby – emerged as a new force in English football. Villa, who floated in the upper mid-table region, were frequently overcome by United, who also won a 6-4 knockout thriller en route to Busby’s first trophy as boss: the FA Cup in 1948.

1950 S (P21 W11

D6 L4)

Though Busby’s Reds took the 1951/52 league crown, it wasn’t until the middle of the decade that the Babes took charge, winning back-toback titles. Villa served up a Double-dashing upset in the 1957 FA Cup final, but were quickly rinsed 4-0 in the following term’s Charity Shield.

1960 S

(P15 W7 D4 L4)

Villa started and ended the decade in the second tier, but in-between provided varying opposition. United lost on four of seven trips to Villa Park, yet ousted the Villans en route to 1963 FA Cup success and trounced the Midlanders 7-0 and 6-1 in 1964 and 1966 respectively.

1970 S (P15 W6 D4

L5)

Aside from a maiden League Cup tie which went Villa’s way, the pair didn’t meet until United’s drop to the Second Division. Promoted together, both gave and took in an oscillating rivalry, though the Reds’ successful 1977 FA Cup tilt included a rousing quarter-final win over Villa.

1980 S (P18 W8 D6 L4)

Aside from 1987/88, which Villa spent in Division Two, the pair were top-flight fixtures through the decade, both amassing continental experience as the Reds reached the Cup Winners’ Cup semi-finals and the Villans went bigger and better, bagging the 1981/82 European Cup.

1990 S

(P23 W11 D7 L5)

While Villa began the decade chasing the title, it was United who got there first, snagging the inaugural Premier League crown (ahead of Villa) and four of the next six. Tight encounters seldom went Villa’s way, except in the League Cup, where they won all three meetings.

2000 S

(P24 W20 D3 L1)

The clubs’ most prolific decade was also its most one-sided, with Villa subjected to repeated league beatings (including six home-and-away doubles) and four FA Cup exits (three of which came at Villa Park). Villa’s solitary win all decade came in December 2009 at Old Trafford.

2010 S

(P15 W11 D4 L0)

The Reds’ only unbeaten decade in this fixture included the unforgettable 20th title-clincher at Old Trafford, courtesy of Robin van Persie’s hat-trick. Villa’s 2015/16 relegation put the tie on hiatus until 2019/20, when a pre-Covid thriller at Old Trafford ended 2-2.

2020 S

(P12 W8 D2 L2)

While United have enjoyed the upper hand in the league and triumphed in both domestic cups –including en route to our 2023 League Cup success – the ferocious nature of Villa’s most recent win over the Reds, Unai Emery’s first game as boss in November 2022, which they won 3-1, underlined their re-emergence as a domestic force.

A battle of silverware between club skippers Johnny Dixon and Roger Byrne ahead of the 1957 FA Cup final

Ruud van Nistelrooy scores the first of his two FA Cup tie-turning goals in January 2002

Anthony Martial gets the Reds off the mark in the six-goal Carabao Cup thriller of 2022/23

Also available at all Old Trafford kiosks and Megastore

UNITED v VILLA Ten all-time classics

A collection of the greatest games from the first 199 United and Villa encounters – all selected from a decidedly one-eyed perspective!

VILLA 4 UNITED 6

FA Cup third round | 10 January 1948

The Reds’ first successful FA Cup campaign under Matt Busby began badly, falling behind to George Edwards’ 13th-second opener, but we recovered emphatically. Revisiting the thriller, the Birmingham Mail noted: ‘Matt Busby’s side calmly responded with possibly the best 45 minutes of football ever seen at Villa Park.’ A 5-1 lead was established by the interval through Johnny Morris’s brace and efforts from Jack Rowley, Stan Pearson and Jimmy Delaney. Villa roared back to 5-4 in the second half before Pearson’s 88th-minute clincher.

UNITED 4 VILLA 0

Charity Shield | 22 October 1957

Seeking to banish memories of Villa’s controversial FA Cup final win the previous May, when Peter McParland broke goalkeeper Ray Wood’s cheekbone before going on to net a winning brace, champions United were in ferocious mood. Tommy Taylor stole the show, bagging a second-half hat-trick before Johnny Berry’s late penalty wrapped up the silverware.

UNITED 2 VILLA 1

FA Cup quarter-final | 19 March 1977

Beaten in the 1976 final, Tommy Docherty’s public promise to return to Wembley in 1977 fostered a sense of inevitability among supporters – even if that was tested by Brian Little’s early belter for the visitors to open the quarter-final scoring. Stewart Houston’s free-kick soon levelled, but an end-to-end game might have gone either way before Lou Macari joyously bashed in our winner.

UNITED 2 VILLA 1

Premier League | 1 May 1999

With no room for error in the Reds’ Treble chase, Villa’s sun-baked visit to M16 was a nerve-shredding affair – particularly when Julian Joachim volleyed home an equaliser

after Steve Watson’s earlier own goal. With nothing less than victory required, the hosts’ inspiration was served up by one of David Beckham’s all-time greatest free-kicks, whipped into the top corner from 30 yards.

VILLA 2 UNITED 3

FA Cup third round | 6 January 2002

By the interval, almost nothing had happened. By 76 minutes, all United fans could reflect on was the hosts’ quickfire one-two, provided by Ian Taylor and Phil Neville’s own goal, which seemed to have sealed an early Cup exit. Fast forward five madcap minutes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s effort and two brilliant Ruud van Nistelrooy finishes had conjured an unfathomable comeback and feral scenes of pitch-invading celebrations from a disbelieving away end.

Beckham bagged the winner on a brilliant day in the Old Trafford sunshine in May 1999

Taylor’s second-half treble inspired our 1957 Charity Shield triumph over Villa

VILLA 0 UNITED 3

Premier League | 23 December 2006

Hopes of a first league title since 2002/03 had been dented by defeat at West Ham the previous weekend, demanding Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to produce a statement of intent at Villa Park. It was provided by two superb Cristiano Ronaldo efforts, bookending a signature Paul Scholes volley which almost cracked goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly’s crossbar. Point made, title charge back on track.

UNITED 3 VILLA 2

Premier League | 5 April 2009

Beset by injuries and suspensions, a leg-weary United side toiled in the spring sunshine as Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace came either side of headers from John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor. Dropped points might have proven fatal for the champions’ hopes of a successful defence, and a nerve-shredding victory was wrapped up in injury-time when substitute debutant Kiko Macheda curled home an unbelievable winner.

UNITED 2 VILLA 1

League Cup final | 28 February 2010

The Reds’ first successful defence of the League Cup was always going to be hard against Martin O’Neill’s side, and it might have been even tougher if Nemanja Vidic hadn’t escaped a red card for hauling down Gabriel Agbonlahor inside five minutes. In the event, James Milner’s

ensuing penalty was overturned by Michael Owen’s predatory strike and Wayne Rooney’s fine header on 74 minutes to land us the trophy.

VILLA 2 UNITED 3

Premier League | 10 November 2012

The Reds’ bid to reclaim the title from Manchester City was punctuated by comeback wins, and few were as hard-fought as the

November trip to Villa Park. Andreas Weimann’s pair either side of the interval had United rocking, but half-time substitute Chicharito duly halved the arrears, before he forced a Ron Vlaar own goal and, with three minutes remaining, headed home a priceless winner. Phew!

UNITED 3 VILLA 0

Premier League | 22 April 2013

An unforgettable night as the Sir Alex Ferguson era wound towards its close with the confirmation of United’s 20th league title. Goal machine Robin van Persie tapped in after little more than a minute, volleyed in an all-timer after 13 minutes and bashed in his third shortly after the half-hour, moving our triumphant manager to reflect: “This club never gives in. Every player who comes here has to have that engrained in. We’ve lived up to the expectation.” ●

Scholes celebrates the Reds’ thunderous second en route to a 3-0 title-refuelling, pre-Christmas win at Villa Park in 2006

Chicharito steps off the bench to reinvigorate the Reds in a 3-2 Villa Park win in November 2012

A simple finish from van Persie sets Ferguson’s Reds on the road to a title-confirming 3-0 win in 2013

to see UNited...

If ever a photograph captured the pre-match excitement of cup final day, it’s this one: red-and-white rosettes pinned to chests, rattles clicking away furiously, scarves draped around necks, with smiles on every face.

It’s 62 years ago today since this photo was taken of a group of Manchester United supporters descending on London to watch Matt Busby’s side take on Leicester City at Wembley in the 1963 FA Cup final. Some of them are wearing paper hats adorned by the faces of the United players – given away free that day by one of the daily newspapers – as they partake in a spot of sightseeing on the morning of the game. Here they pose for a photograph in Trafalgar Square; later they’ll be part of a 99,604 crowd in the national stadium, on what would prove to be an unforgettable afternoon for them all.

Busby’s side were viewed as underdogs for the final with the Foxes, having finished 15 places below them in the First Division table. But Sir Matt and Jimmy Murphy had started to lay the foundations of our first great side since the Munich Air Disaster, bringing together crash survivors, homegrown talents and big-money signings.

It was two of the latter who turned out to be our Wembley heroes: Denis Law netting our opener and David Herd grabbing a brace as United triumphed 3-1 to land the third of our 13 FA Cups.

Little did these fans know at the time, but they would have plenty more reasons to smile in the years to follow, as our Cup final victory proved a vital stepping stone to further success, with the Reds crowned English champions in 1965 and 1967, then, gloriously, kings of Europe in 1968.

FOCUS ACADEMY

SEASON OF PROGRESS

The 2024/25 campaign is over for our young Reds, and there’s much to update you on...

Fredricson receives debut frame

Congratulations to Academy graduate 254, Tyler Fredricson, who enjoyed a particularly special few days a fortnight ago.

At the week’s start, he was presented with his debut frame at Carrington in front of the Graduate Wall, after making his senior bow. “These are legends I’ve heard about all through the Academy,” he said, inspecting the names of Duncan Edwards, Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best, in whose footsteps he follows. He picked out Geoff Bent and Mark Hughes in particular.

Two days later, Tyler was at Old Trafford to receive the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year trophy. Harry Amass won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.

To see the moment Tyler was informed of his latest achievement, and listen to his reflections on a fantastic end to the season – with two Premier League starts under his belt – watch our feature by scanning this code.

U18 s miss silverware by fine margins

After last season’s trio of trophies, only fine margins prevented Adam Lawrence’s U18s set-up from achieving something similarly remarkable in 2024/25.

United finished second, two points behind City in the league, while penalty shoot-out defeats to the eventual winners ended impressive runs

in both the FA Youth Cup and U18 PL Cup. The team’s final league game was a “really good learning experience,” said Lawrence, after a 3-1 victory over Sunderland, which saw United bounce back from conceding early on, and then cope with a one-man disadvantage due to injury.

Unlike the vast majority of games this season, which have had something directly riding on them, the Sunderland game could not impact United’s position in the league, meaning Lawrence was pleased with the commitment

of his players in such a scenario. “That stuff [desire] is ingrained in them in terms of their behaviours,” he said. “It shouldn’t be like a tap you can turn on and off. If you’ve got that winning mentality, you should be like that regardless. But for the lads to perform like this today – and against Stoke last week in the same situation – says a lot about their character.

“We’re not here to build teams, we’re more excited about the individuals and their development and we feel we’re in a good place.”

After making his first-team bow last month, Fredricson received a debut frame (above), while here he casts an eye over the Graduate Wall at Carrington alongside Nick Cox

Lawrence to depart at season’s end The defeat of Sunderland was Lawrence’s final competitive game in charge at United, with him leaving the club to seek a new challenge elsewhere in the game.

Having originally joined as Under-16s lead coach in 2021, Lawrence has enjoyed an outstanding two years with United’s U18s, earning excellent results while prioritising the individual development of each player.

Results only tell part of the story for any Academy coach, of course. The daily work that goes often unseen is what truly makes a footballer, and Adam has proudly assisted the development of players across the age group. Seven Academy graduates have made their senior debuts since Adam began working in the Professional Development Phase (U17-U21).

The process to appoint a new lead coach is under way and will conclude ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Nick Cox, Director of Academy, paid tribute to Adam’s “passion for helping young players to maximise their potential” and said the Academy

had taken “great pride in supporting and witnessing his development as a coach, and we now wish him the very best of luck for the future.”

Lawrence described it as a “privilege to work for Manchester United” and reflected on a “very special few years with this group”.

“I’m now ready for the next challenge,” he continued, “but I’ll always cherish the memories made at this great club and can’t wait to see what the future holds for the players I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”

U21 s reach PL2 semi-finals

Travis Binnion’s Under-21s have had some fantastic games this season. The EFL Trophy has delivered memorable nights against senior opposition on several occasions over recent campaigns, including sizeable away followings across the North West, with a shoot-out triumph at Stockport County particularly noteworthy. This season was no different, with two stunning comebacks at Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers, before defeat at Huddersfield Town prevented us from progressing.

The inaugural National League Cup – pitting Category One academies against fifth-tier senior sides – provided more opportunities to face senior players, and United excelled in the group stage with 13 goals in four victories, including thumpings at Altrincham and Oldham Athletic.

Unfortunately, Sutton United knocked us out in the quarter-finals, with several key players absent from Binnion’s squad on the night due to first-team involvement. That was a key challenge throughout the season, but clearly not one the coaches or players regret. After all, getting senior opportunities is the end goal.

With those competitions over by February’s end, United focused on the league, and put together an impressive run of results to finish fifth in Premier League 2, thus qualifying for the 16-team end-of-season knock-out competition. There, we came from behind to defeat Everton and West Ham at home (4-2 and 4-1), but were beaten 2-0 in the semis at City’s Joie Stadium.

The U21s have continued training since, playing a key support role to Ruben Amorim’s squad, with many involved in senior matchday squads.

Post-season tour possibilities

It’s likely that several young players will be part of our senior squad’s touring group to Hong Kong and Malaysia next week, with fixtures against the ASEAN All Stars and Hong Kong. “Whenever you’re playing for the first team in whatever scenario or fixture, eyes are on you,” said Binnion. “The boys want those opportunities and they’ll need to take them.”

Trophies at other levels

After success for our U14s in the Premier League International Tournament – beating Chelsea and City to lift the trophy – our U15s have also had an excellent conclusion to the campaign.

They came from 3-0 behind to overcome City 4-3 in extra-time of the Premier League Floodlit Cup northern final. With that momentum, they then defeated Chelsea 3-1 in the national final at Leigh Sports Village.

Well done also to our U13s, who reached the Premier League Super Cup national final with a northern triumph over Newcastle. While the young Reds were beaten by Arsenal at the last, it’s a fine achievement.

INSIDE THE ACADEMY COLUMN →

Read Nick Cox’s latest column for further insight into Fredricson’s first-team journey and plenty more.

Habeeb Ogunneye helps kick-start our U21s’ charge towards the semi-finals of the Premier League 2 play-offs with a 4-2 defeat of Everton

The U21s’ admirable National League Cup journey reached the last-eight stage where we went down to Sutton United

Lawrence departs the club with a proud record of developing Academy talent

Discover more

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UNITED WOMEN ROUND-UP

HOLD THOSE HEADS HIGH

That was the message from boss Marc Skinner after the Reds’ FA Cup final loss – a game that brought the curtain down on an eventful, encouraging 2024/25...

WEMBLEY RUNNERS-UP

Marc Skinner’s side have proudly embraced the tag of Women’s FA Cup holders this season, making it all the way back to Wembley for a third consecutive final last Sunday, where the Reds were forced to relinquish their crown following a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in front of 74,412 fans. United made the better start but

16

the Parisian-born attacker crossed for Catarina Macario to extend Chelsea’s advantage late on, before Baltimore put the season-ending encounter beyond the Reds’ reach with her second goal in stoppage time.

POSITIVES IN DEFEAT

While it certainly wasn’t the way United’s young, dynamic squad wanted to wrap up the campaign, nevertheless a feeling of optimism was not unreasonable following the Wembley defeat. Progress with a largely new-look squad for 2024/25 has been stark and United have now got another cup-final experience under the belt, just weeks after securing Champions League football for next season by returning to the WSL’s top-three positions. “This season, we performed well, we got a new identity, and we’ve got spirit and fight. That’s probably the biggest win of the season,” said captain Maya Le Tissier after the final, reflecting on 2024/25 as a whole. “This team is amazing and I’m excited to see what we can build in the future.” Head coach Skinner spoke in similar terms at the national stadium, saying: “The young team I’ve got – their experience will grow from this moment. As disappointed as I am, we’ve had a fantastic season.”

AWARD WINNERS

The standout individual contributors to this term’s team efforts were celebrated in the build-up to the final as the club announced the winners of our end-of-season awards.

Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce received the All set for last weekend’s FA Cup final – a day when United Women could temper their Wembley heartache by taking real pride in their collective achievements this season

Sonia Bompastor’s Blues grew into the contest and took a 1-0 lead that their first-half pressure probably warranted on the stroke of half-time, when Sandy Baltimore converted from the penalty spot after Erin Cuthbert was adjudged to have been fouled by Celin Bizet in the 18-yard area. Baltimore was the star of the afternoon, and after the WSL champions had limited United’s opportunities for an equaliser after the break,

Tullis-Joyce’s impressive maiden campaign as first-choice stopper saw her clinch the club’s Players’ Player of the Year prize

Players’ Player of the Year prize following a fine maiden campaign as the team’s first-choice stopper, in which the American was pivotal to a strong defensive record that ensured she earned a share of the WSL’s Golden Glove award for keeping the division’s joint-most clean sheets (13). Much-loved midfielder Ella Toone retained the fan-voted accolade meanwhile, serving as recognition of the way she’s again made her mark and continued to give her all for the United cause. It has been a difficult campaign on a personal level for Ella, who suffered the loss of her father Nick in September, just days before his 60th birthday, and she wrote on X: ‘Thank you for sticking with me in the hardest time of my life. I know the big man will be proud of the way I’ve dealt with things this season and how I’ve managed to navigate through football and life without him.’ See section 6 for more on United Women’s award winners.

LEAGUE FINALE

After securing a top-three place and European football for next term in the penultimate WSL

outing of the campaign – the 2-2 draw with Manchester City here at Old Trafford – the Reds rounded off the league season two weekends ago with an eventful 4-3 defeat at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Skinner’s side showed great character to quickly respond to Chloe Kelly’s second-minute opener with Toone’s equaliser, before the Gunners carved out a commanding lead with three goals in the first 16 minutes of the second half: a penalty from Mariona Caldentey followed by strikes from Frida Maanum and Kim Little. Again, the Reds hit back though, via Elisabeth Terland’s 10th WSL goal of the WSL term and a Le Tissier spot-kick, but the hosts held firm in a grandstand last 15 minutes to thwart the Reds’ attempt to leapfrog the Gunners into second place on the final day.

UWCL SCHEDULE

The result at Arsenal confirmed a third-place finish for United, which means entering the league path of next season’s Champions League in the second qualifying round. This will consist of a quartet of four-team mini-tournaments, each featuring a semi-final and a final. While the games themselves are set to take place on 27/30 August, Skinner’s Reds won’t have long to find out who their semi-final opponents are as the draw will be conducted by UEFA on 24 June. If the Reds can win their final, a more traditional two-legged tie against a single opponent will await in the third qualifying round, to be played on 11/18 September. The victor here will progress to the centrepiece point of the UWCL: a new 18-team league phase, introduced fresh for 2025/26 in order to bring the competition more in line with the men’s Champions League.

Boss Skinner and his charges show their appreciation to the vast number of Reds among the 74,412 crowd at Wembley

Millie Turner is tracked by former team-mate Alessio Russo as the WSL campaign ends at the Emirates

WHAT IS STYLE?

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

When you look back at Manchester United’s 1990 FA Cup success, it seems so obvious that it was the start of the most special era of the club’s history. But, at the time, it was far from apparent that such glory would follow. That trophy was the first for Sir Alex Ferguson, in his fourth season as manager. The next step towards becoming the dominant force in English football was to impress in Europe, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Never heard of it? Well, the name explains the format: the winners of the biggest cup competition in every European country entered. It was particularly meaningful in 1990/91 for United to play in this, because English teams had been banned from European football for the previous five years.

So, United went into Europe, and our fans were buzzing. We beat teams from Hungary (Pecsi Munkas), Wales (Wrexham!), France

FRED ASKS... HOW DID UNITED END THE TITLE DROUGHT?

(Montpellier) and Poland (Legia Warsaw) to reach the final in Rotterdam. Our display against Barcelona in that final is fondly remembered, and seemed to have a greater significance to it – something special. After the football hooliganism of the ’70s and ’80s, going to the game was now about just having a good time. Which is what United did, aided by a brilliant 2-1 victory thanks to two goals from Mark

DID YOU KNOW?

The exact set of events that got Cantona to United are disputed by the various people involved. But what we do know is that Leeds had actually called Sir Alex as they wanted to sign our full-back Denis Irwin. We said no, and asked for Cantona. Did the Reds expect a yes? Who knows, but Ferguson got one and the rest is wonderful history!

Hughes, a fantastic striker who had once played for Barcelona.

Victory in Europe provided confidence in the progress of the team under Ferguson.

Sights were set on winning a first league title since the great Sir Matt Busby had left. United signed Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and England right-back Paul Parker. Plus, coming up through the Academy ranks was a fleet-footed talent called Ryan Giggs. Some were comparing him to George Best!

We won eight of our first 10 games in 1991/92 and were still top at Christmas – having also lifted the European Super Cup against Red Star Belgrade at Old Trafford in November. We remained league leaders by March, and in April we won our first-ever League Cup with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at Wembley – Brian McClair scoring our winner.

But then it all went wrong. United lost to Forest, West Ham and Liverpool, allowing Leeds

Celebrating the 1991 Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in Rotterdam, our first European trophy since Busby’s Reds won the European Cup in 1968

Cantona points to the badge he’d represent for five successful seasons

to leapfrog us to take the league title. It was a devastating end to a fantastic season and meant United’s frustrating wait for a first league title since 1967 went on.

There was hope for the future, though. Giggs had won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, with defender Gary Pallister receiving the main award, and Giggs was part of an incredible group of young players who won United’s first FA Youth Cup since Best’s team in 1964.

That summer of 1992, the Premier League was founded. United again had high hopes as the

Left: Cup momentum continued to build in the 1991/92 season, with first the European Super Cup in November, and then, in April, Brian McClair’s winner (pictured) saw us claim a first League Cup with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest

Below: Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson hold aloft the inaugural Premier League trophy in May 1993 as the Reds’ rise continues

season kicked off, but the Reds began poorly. We won none of our first three games and new striker Dion Dublin broke his leg. Ferguson needed a replacement and in November, after a chance call with Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson, he signed Eric Cantona. No signing in the club’s history would ever be so important.

Cantona was unique. His skill was exceptional, but it was his maverick character that separated him from the rest. He trained hard, playing with a swagger which would come to define United’s approach for years to come.

We were challenging for the title again, but it was far from plain sailing. Two late goals from

Steve Bruce on 10 April 1993 helped us beat Sheffield Wednesday in one of the most famous Old Trafford moments. ‘Bruce... YES!’ went the commentary, followed by Ferguson leaping on the touchline and his assistant Brian Kidd sinking to his knees in relief and celebration. That was the second game in a seven-match winning run to Premier League glory. Our main rivals Aston Villa’s loss to Oldham confirmed the Reds’ status as champions, and the next day at Old Trafford United beat Blackburn 3-1 in a real party atmosphere. Champions again, at last –after a 26-year wait. It was a dream realised – but the dreaming did not stop there...

Academy graduate Giggs with the PFA Young Player of the Year Award after his first full season as a senior Red

Quizzes and captions from United’s mascot!

TODAY’S MASCOTS

Introducing the youngsters who will be walking the teams out at Old Trafford...

INITIAL THOUGHTS...

United’s league season ends today against ‘AV’ (Aston Villa) – but can you identify these four other teams we’ve faced in 2024/25 through their initials?

OT END-GAMES!

Can you remember which players scored our final Old Trafford goal in each of the past five seasons? 2022/23 2-1 Bruno Fernandes or Jadon Sancho?

Amad or Rasmus Hojlund?

Cristiano Ronaldo or Raphael Varane?

Edinson Cavani or Marcus Rashford? 2021/22 3-0

2019/20 2-1

Jesse Lingard or Anthony Martial? 2020/21 1-1

CAPTION CONTEST

These Reds might have said it – but they probably didn’t!

Excuse me, has anyone seen my other shin pad?

SPECIAL TIME WITH SIR ALEX

Foundation scholarship students enjoy incredible day at Old Trafford, meeting our legendary boss ahead of their VIP matchday experience…

“Origins should never be a barrier to success,” is a line from the great Sir Alex Ferguson and the ethos which Manchester United Foundation applies to all of its community work, including the Foundation’s Sport and Youth Leadership degree, delivered in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Two scholarship places – funded by the Foundation and named after Sir Alex Ferguson and fellow club icon Sir Bobby Charlton – are afforded to students enrolling on the degree each year.

This year’s scholarship students, Jack and Charley, have both demonstrated great resilience in their lives – a trait Sir Alex always admired in his players – and as a reward for what they have achieved, and their effort and application on their course, they enjoyed a very special meet-and-greet with the man himself!

“Come on in,” beamed Sir Alex, as he ushered the duo into a private room at Old Trafford. “Take a seat and tell me about yourselves. I want to know more about what you’ve achieved...”

“I honestly could not believe it when I found out we were going to meet him,” Jack enthused. “I mentioned Sir Alex’s quote about origins and success in my application for the Sport and Youth Leadership degree. He’s a hero of mine, so this was a dream come true. He was very interested in how we’re doing on our course. Sir Alex also told us some great stories – I could have stayed there all day listening to them.”

The students were also taken pitchside for a photo opportunity with Sir Alex’s first club

captain, and longstanding Foundation supporter, Bryan Robson, before watching one of the Reds’ recent matches from the directors’ box.

Charley echoed Jack’s positive words, saying: “It was an unreal experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was amazing to meet Sir Alex and Bryan, but also really special to be rewarded with an incredible VIP experience like this. It shows you what you can achieve if you apply yourself and work really hard, no matter where you come from.”

Also joining the students was Andrew Calthorpe, a United fan who has very generously

supported the Foundation in recent times, including providing laptops for Jack and Charley to use on their course. “I wanted to make a donation to a cause where I knew the money would be used well,” Andrew explained. “As a lifelong Red and season ticket holder, I am aware of the impact of the Foundation, so it was a nobrainer to show my support. It’s been a pleasure to meet Sir Alex and Bryan, but also seeing the students enjoy themselves and benefiting from something I’ve contributed to. It’s really special.”

For more, visit: mufoundation.org/mcrmetdegree

Sport and Youth Leadership scholarship students Jack and Charley begin their VIP matchday experience by meeting the legendary Sir Alex (top) before sitting down for a chat along with benefactor and season ticket holder Andrew Calthorpe

CLIMB A MOUNTAIN WITH US!

The Foundation is facilitating a hike of Mount Snowdon this summer, giving fans the opportunity to scale the iconic Welsh mountain from stars to sunrise. The hike, commencing on Saturday 2 August, will start in darkness late that night, with climbers due to reach the summit early the following morning in time for a magnificent view of the sun rising from the top of the mountain.

Foundation CEO John Shiels said: “We’re excited to give Reds the chance to climb to the summit of Snowdon on our latest fundraising hike this summer. Last year, our Kilimanjaro trek was an incredible, yet challenging, experience for all involved. Being much closer to home this time, we hope as many fans as possible can join us for what will be an inspiring and memorable life experience – these events bring people together with a unique and lasting bond. This is an opportunity to make a difference to the Manchester United community and to local children who need your support, so I’d encourage anyone who is able to get involved!”

Fans are invited to get involved in the hike, with all funds raised going back into the Foundation’s work. Visit mufoundation.org/Snowdon to sign up.

COMMUNITY

CHAMPIONS

Amad and Maya Le Tissier have been awarded PFA Community Champion awards for 2024/25, honouring their ongoing support of Manchester United Foundation.

Over the course of the season, both players have been recognised for their wonderful contribution to Foundation initiatives and projects, engaging and inspiring the next generation by visiting schools in Greater Manchester, including supporting initiatives around physical education, Black History Month, girls’ football and reading.

Amad said: “I’m so happy to receive this trophy and to the Foundation for nominating me. I’ve really enjoyed visiting schools in the community, seeing the kids and putting smiles on faces. It’s

Amad and Maya collect their awards in recognition of all the work they’ve done to support various Foundation initiatives this season

important for me to give back and help give some advice to the children for the future.”

Maya echoed that sentiment, adding: “Working in the community is massive for United and we know

how much football means to Manchester, and to give something back, it’s really nice. I really enjoy doing it as well, going into schools and making a difference to the young people we meet.”

Instagram: @manchesterunitedfoundation

facebook.com/ manchesterunitedfoundation

Twitter/X: @MU_foundation

TikTok: @manutdfoundation

YouTube.com /manutdfoundation

Story behind the shot

Ahead of the UEFA Europa League final, club photographer Ash Donelon (above) was in Bilbao to capture the pre-match mood among the travelling United fans...

ALL SET FOR MATCHDAY...

Image taken: Etxebarria Parkea fan park, Bilbao, Wednesday 21 May.

Ash says: “I’ve been fortunate enough to travel with the club to all of United’s European away games since 2012, and the dedication of our supporters still amazes me. On the morning of the Europa League final I headed to the official fan park, which was just a few minutes’ walk from the stadium, to capture the matchday atmosphere. Even though the gates hadn’t opened yet there were still people eagerly waiting outside, and that’s where I snapped this photo. Each person in this picture had an incredible tale of how they got to the Basque Country, using planes, boats, coaches, cars... essentially every conceivable means of transport available! Some didn’t even have match tickets, but they just knew they had to be here regardless. I truly believe United has the best supporters in the world, and they’re a huge part of what makes this club so special.”

STATS AT THE BACK BRUNO’S FOURTH AWARD

Captain Fernandes has just added another Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year trophy to his collection – but where does he place among previous winners of the coveted prize? [Stats

CRISTIANO RONALDO

[2004, 2007, 2008, 2022]

DAVID DE GEA

[2014, 2015, 2016, 2018]

BRUNO FERNANDES

[2020, 2021, 2024, 2025]

ROY KEANE

[1999, 2000]

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY

[2002, 2003]

WAYNE ROONEY

[2006, 2010]

2 2 2

The Portuguese phenomenon became the first player to win the award three times, then added a fourth in his second spell at Old Trafford.

The first player to win the award three times in succession, the first to pick up the award four times, and our only ever goalkeeper to win it.

The skipper has now won back-to-back Sir Matt Busby awards for a second time, having previously done so in his first two seasons as a Red.

The relentless drive of our Treble-winning skipper earned him much admiration and back-to-back Sir Matt Busby awards in 1999 and 2000.

The lethal Dutchman scored 80 goals in 101 matches in his first two seasons as a Red, deservedly earning him back-to-back POTY prizes.

The firebrand brilliance of our all-time leading goalscorer was twice recognised by the fans, earning him two POTY awards four years apart.

4

4

4

THE PREMIER LEAGUE

As the 4pm kick-offs all commence this Sunday, it’s the quintet of clubs below the top two with most to play for...

So here we are, on the final day, which means a few things: concurrent kick-offs, pre-game chat about every possible permutation, and Match of the Day jumping between games to help retell the drama. But with the title and relegation spots already confirmed, today the spotlight will be on the five teams sat between third and seventh – three of which will join Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham in next season’s Champions League. With all that in mind, Nottingham Forest (left, top) v Chelsea (left, bottom) is the game that stands out – can Forest, double European Cup winners, secure a return to the club game’s elite competition? Newcastle v Everton, as well as Fulham v Man City, will also be key fixtures in the battle for UCL spots, while Brighton (away to Tottenham) and Brentford (away to Wolves) are vying for eighth place. Elsewhere at 4pm, it’s Bournemouth v Leicester, Ipswich v West Ham, Liverpool v Crystal Palace and Southampton v Arsenal.

APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2024/25 SEASON

As we head into our 38th and final league outing of 2024/25, it’s Bruno Fernandes who leads the way with top-flight starts, with our skipper being in the starting XI for 34 of our 37 Premier League games to date. And a goal today would take Bruno to 20 (all competitions) this season.

UNITED CAREER STATISTICS

MANCHESTER UNITED EDITORIAL TEAM

Matthijs DE LIGT 25(4) 220 1(1) 0 8(1) 000 36(6) 2

Patrick Chinazaekpere DORGU 9(2) 010007000 17(2) 0 Christian ERIKSEN 48(24) 2 5(2) 0 4(2) 3 13(8) 200 70(36) 7

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

Bruno FERNANDES 190(4)6220(3)10 9(4) 4 54(4)22 10 274(15)98

Tyler FREDRICSON 200000000020

Alejandro GARNACHO 58(35)168(5) 2 7(3) 4 15(12) 3 0(1) 1 88(56)26

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

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

Ayden HEAVEN 1(2) 0 0(1) 0001000 2(3) 0

Rasmus HOJLUND 47(14)147(1) 1 1(3) 0 17(4)11 00 72(22)26

Victor LINDELOF 165(28) 4 21(2) 0 15(2) 0 44(5) 010 246(37) 4 Harry MAGUIRE 144(22) 7 16(4) 4 11(2) 0 39(6) 410 211(34)15

Kobbie MAINOO 43(6) 3 7(2) 2 1(1) 0 1(9)

Noussair Mazraoui made his 50th start for the Reds in our recent trip to Stamford Bridge. It’s the first time in the Morocco international’s career that he’s reached such a feat in a single season, with his versatility making him a regular starter throughout his first year here.

As for Joshua Zirkzee, he could reach a half-century of his own this afternoon, with the Dutchman’s return from injury seeing him join the action in the second half in Bilbao on Wednesday – it was his 49th appearance for the Reds since his July 2024 switch from Bologna.

2024/25 FIXTURES

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

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

PL Sat 24Brighton & Hove Albion (A) 12.30pm 1-2

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 Sat 21Crystal Palace (A) 5.30pm0-025,1724-2-3-1Onana

UEL Wed 25Twente (H) 8pm 1-1

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

UEL Thu 3Porto (A) 8pm 3-3

PL Sun 6 Aston Villa (A) 2pm0-042,6824-2-3-1Onana

PL Sat 19 Brentford (H) 3pm 2-1

Wed 30Leicester City (H)

PL Sun 1 Everton (H) 1.30pm4-073,8173-4-2-1Onana

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 Yoro De Ligt

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 Yoro

PL Sun 22Bournemouth (H) 2pm 0-3 73,7203-4-2-1Onana

PL Thu 26 Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) 5.30pm 0-2 31,4073-4-2-1Onana

PL Sun 5Liverpool (A) 4.30pm 2-2 60,2753-4-2-1Onana

FA Sun 12Arsenal (A) (R3) 3pm 1-1 ↑ 60,1093-4-2-1Bayindir

Thu 16Southampton (H) 8pm 3-1 73,7223-4-2-1Onana

Ligt

Mainoo Ugarte

Mazraoui Fernandes 1 Ugarte Dalot

Martinez Mazraoui Eriksen Ugarte Dalot

Thu 13Real Sociedad (H) (R16 2nd leg) 8pm 4-1 73,1893-4-2-1Onana

Sun 16Leicester City (A) 7pm3-031,7733-4-2-1Onana

PL Sun 6Manchester City (H) 4.30pm0-073,7383-4-2-1

Thu 17Lyon (H) (QF 2nd leg) 8pm 5-4* 73,2283-4-2-1

Mount Rashford Fernandes McTominay Garnacho 1 Collyer

Mount RashfordFernandes Garnacho Zirkzee 1

Mount Rashford Fernandes Zirkzee Garnacho De Ligt

FernandesRashford

Fernandes Rashford 1 Zirkzee Garnacho 1

2 Garnacho 2 Rashford 2 Fernandes Zirkzee

Fernandes Garnacho Zirkzee Rashford Ugarte

Fernandes Rashford Zirkzee Garnacho

Fernandes

Fernandes Rashford 1 Hojlund 1

Fernandes Garnacho 1 Hojlund 1 Zirkzee

MazraouiGarnacho Zirkzee Hojlund Casemiro Antony Amad

FernandesGarnachoHojlund Amad Zirkzee Lindelof

Fernandes 2 Garnacho 1 Zirkzee Mazraoui Amad

Fernandes 1 Rashford Hojlund Amad Zirkzee Lindelof

Barrott

Clement Turpin

David Coote

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

Peter Bankes

Fernandes Garnacho Hojlund Martinez Eriksen Rashford Mount Zirkzee Radu Petrescu Fernandes 1 Rashford Hojlund Garnacho 1 Evans Zirkzee Eriksen

Fernandes Garnacho Rashford 1 Shaw Ugarte Hojlund Zirkzee Mount Anthony Taylor

Mount Garnacho 1Hojlund 2 Dalot Rashford Amad Shaw Casemiro Lawrence Visser

Rashford 2 Fernandes Zirkzee 2 Shaw Maguire Garnacho Ugarte Mount John Brooks

Mount Garnacho Hojlund Amad Zirkzee Rashford Yoro Antony Samuel Barrott Fernandes 1 Garnacho Hojlund 1 Rashford Maguire Mazraoui Mount Zirkzee Darren England

Amad Rashford Zirkzee Hojlund 2 Mount Antony Garnacho Ugarte Marian Barbu

Amad 1 Hojlund Mount Mainoo Zirkzee Antony Yoro Lindelof Anthony Taylor

Antony Fernandes Hojlund Evans 1 Amad 1 Zirkzee 1 Mainoo Garnacho John Brooks

Amad Fernandes Zirkzee Yoro Hojlund Garnacho

Amad Fernandes Hojlund Antony Casemiro Eriksen

Amad Zirkzee Hojlund Mainoo Yoro Garnacho

Amad 1 Fernandes Hojlund Garnacho Yoro Zirkzee

Garnacho Fernandes 1 Hojlund Amad Zirkzee Collyer

Hojlund

Amad Fernandes 1 Zirkzee Garnacho Collyer Hojlund

Eriksen Garnacho Zirkzee Maguire Malacia Ugarte

Amad Garnacho Hojlund Yoro Zirkzee Collyer

Eriksen Mainoo 1 Hojlund Amad Garnacho Yoro

Amad Mainoo Garnacho Hojlund Zirkzee De Ligt Eriksen

Amad Hojlund Mainoo Garnacho Zirkzee

Zirkzee GarnachoHojlund

Zirkzee Fernandes 1 Hojlund Garnacho Yoro

Zirkzee Garnacho Hojlund Mazraoui Casemiro Eriksen

Zirkzee Eriksen Hojlund Garnacho Lindelof

Garnacho Hojlund Zirkzee 1 Eriksen Lindelof Collyer

Garnacho Eriksen Zirkzee Heaven Collyer Hojlund

Garnacho Zirkzee Hojlund Collyer Eriksen

Bastien

Garnacho 1 Eriksen Hojlund 1 Collyer Casemiro Zirkzee Amass Obi Thomas Bramall

Garnacho Fernandes Zirkzee Hojlund Eriksen Mount Maguire

Jarred Gillett FernandesGarnacho Hojlund Lindelof Zirkzee Mount

Garnacho Hojlund Fernandes Zirkzee 1 Mount Mainoo Lindelof

Garnacho 1 Fernandes Zirkzee Hojlund

Garnacho

John Brooks

Glenn Nyberg

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

A fitting finale for this season’s alphabetical quiz, as we go with another round of ‘F’ questions. Fire up your engines as it’s full steam ahead...

1.

United’s 1965 home victory against Finnish side HJK Helsinki marked a European Cup debut for which legendary forward (who scored twice in a 6-0 win)?

2.

Bill Foulkes scored a crucial equaliser against which Spanish club in the 1968 European Cup semis to help United reach the final?

Frank Stapleton scored against United for Arsenal in the 1979 FA Cup final, before later netting for the Reds in the same showpiece game against which team?

In which season was the Reds’ first Premier League visit to Fratton Park?

8.

Marouane Fellaini wore no.31 in his first two seasons at Old Trafford, before switching to 27 and handing the 31 shirt to which fellow midfielder ahead of 2015/16?

Who was the Reds’ record signing before Rio Ferdinand moved to Old Trafford in 2002? 4. 3. 5. 9.

Which Italian-American forward has played for both United and Fiorentina?

And in which season did Darren Fletcher win his first Premier League title? 7. 10. 6. 24

Wayne Rooney’s first and last European goals for the Reds were both scored against clubs beginning with ‘F’ – name both.

and Feyenoord; 10. Villa Park (4-3)

5.

Albion; 4.

Bruno Fernandes has scored seven goals against today’s opponents Aston Villa, but where have more of them been scored: Old Trafford or Villa Park?

1. George Best; 2. Real Madrid; 3. Brighton & Hove

Juan Sebastian Veron;

Giuseppe Rossi; 6. 2003/04; 7. 2006/07; 8. Bastian Schweinsteiger; 9. Fenerbahce

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

Alejandro GARNACHO

Diogo DALOT

Tom HEATON Luke SHAW

Andre ONANA Manuel Ugarte

Ayden Heaven

Jonny EVANS

Kobbie MAINOO Harry Amass

Sekou Kone

Toby Collyer

Dermot Mee

Hubert Graczyk

Elyh Harrison

SEASON 2024/25

MATCH OFFICIALS

Mings

Ross Barkley John M c Ginn

Youri Tielemans

Marcus Rashford Ollie Watkins

Lucas Digne Pau Torres Andres Garcia

Donyell Malen

Marco Asensio

Ian Maatsen

Emiliano Martinez

Amadou Onana

Robin Olsen

Lamare Bogarde

Morgan Rogers

Kortney Hause

Leon Bailey

Jacob Ramsey

Boubacar Kamara

Oliwier Zych

Aidan Borland

Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba Thierry Katsukunya

Ben Broggio

Bradley Burrowes