Manchester United v Ipswich Town PL match programme, 26.02.25

UNITED

WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2025 Kick-off 7.30pm

MANCHESTER UNITED

24/25 HOME JERSEY

“There is no other option for us but to be ready for our battles all over the pitch”

TRuben AMORIM

onight brings our first midweek game this month and I must say we have enjoyed the extra time we have had on the training ground during these past few weeks.

I have seen some positive signs during that period but the hard work counts for nothing unless we can consistently translate it into our matches from the first whistle until the last.

For the first half of our game at Everton last Saturday, I saw no sign of the team that had been working so well together at Carrington in the previous days. However, we stuck to the plan and did not panic. In the second half, we played with more belief and a higher tempo, and we managed to save ourselves and take a draw.

But we don’t prepare for any game looking for a point. We set up to win every fixture, and that will be our objective tonight against Ipswich Town as we welcome Kieran McKenna and his players to Old Trafford.

This game – like every fixture – is an opportunity for every player to take their chance and make an impression, whether from the start or off the bench. Whoever represents us tonight must recognise that Ipswich are coming here, like us, needing three points,

so there is no other option for us but to be ready for our battles all over the pitch. I don’t want us to think about anything other than this game. The season so far, the games still to come – none of that is important tonight. All that matters is carrying out our plan, turning our hard work in training into a performance in the game and fighting for the win.

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB LTD

Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Michael Edelson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford, Jean-Claude Blanc Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards

Last Saturday’s goalscorers come together to celebrate overturning Everton’s two-goal advantage

KEEP THE SPIRIT

United

showed fight at Everton last weekend,

and plenty more will be required against a dogged Ipswich side this evening...

Welcome back to Old Trafford, where tonight we welcome Ipswich Town in the Premier League for the first time in almost 24 years.

The Tractor Boys are scrapping hard to avoid relegation in their first season back among English football’s elite, after remarkable back-to-back promotions under former United assistant manager Kieran McKenna (right). But they head into tonight’s encounter five points adrift of Wolves, who currently hold the last survival spot.

The Suffolk club were beaten 4-1 at home by

Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, shortly after United’s second-half fightback at Goodison Park. A valuable point against David Moyes’s Everton edges us a little closer to some of the teams above us, but there’s a lot of work to do if we’re to climb further up the Premier League table.

Games like tonight’s are a vital opportunity in that regard: a home fixture against a Premier League side that has won just twice on the road this season, though it’s worth noting that McKenna’s men have avoided defeat in half of their 12 away games.

United’s record at home is also mixed, but how noticeable it was at Goodison that the Reds’ confidence surged after Bruno Fernandes’ excellent free-kick.

Manuel Ugarte equalised soon after, and there were several moves that could have easily led to a third goal. It was a reminder of the quality United possess, when the team is at its most positive.

Tonight’s fixture is the first in a run of four home games in 16 days, with just one away game (Real Sociedad) during that period. It could be a defining phase in our run-in, with big fixtures not only in the league, but also the FA Cup (Fulham) and the Europa League (Real Sociedad) – two competitions that could provide a route towards continental football next term. With our support, let’s try and help Amorim’s Reds replicate the second-half confidence we showed on Merseyside, and turn Old Trafford into the cauldron of noise and passion we know it can be. We’re called ‘United’ – let’s prove it tonight. Come on, Reds!

Path to Glory

Friday’s UEFA Europa League draw confirmed that United will play Real Sociedad in the last 16, with the two legs to be played on 6 March (away) and 13 March (home). Our path to the final in Bilbao is also now clearer: if we beat La Real, we’ll play FCSB or Lyon in the quarter-finals, with Fenerbahce, Rangers, Roma or Athletic Club our potential foes in the last four. The final, at Athletic Club’s ‘new’ San Mames, will be held on Wednesday 21 May.

Last week’s Europa League draw has mapped out the path the Reds must take to lift the trophy in Bilbao in May

TERLAND AND SKINNER HAILED

Manchester United Women head coach Marc Skinner, and in-form striker Elisabeth Terland, have both been recognised in the Women’s Super League’s February award nominations. Skinner has led the Reds to second in the WSL table, while Terland scored in both of our league games across the month, bagging three in total. The voting closed on Monday, before UR went to print, with the winners due to be announced tomorrow. Head to the United app and ManUtd.com to find out if our Reds were successful. You can also head to section 14 for our latest MUW round-up.

2 LAW FRONTS LATEST MAG

The latest issue of official club magazine, Inside United, is available to buy now. The late, great Denis Law adorns our cover and, within the mag, ‘The King’ is given a full and loving tribute. From the contemporary scene, we’ve Leny Yoro’s first big interview since his debut, and we also hear from fellow new boys Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven. Pick up your copy tonight from one of the kiosks.

Two goals against Palace, added to her winner at Spurs, has put Terland in contention for the WSL Player of the Month award

GOODBYE, GOODISON

A point apiece: the Reds’ last ever trip to Everton’s famous old stadium wasn’t short on drama, goals or United spirit…

A determined second-half comeback saw United take a Premier League point from our 107th and final visit to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Toffees’ iconic ground has hosted many a dramatic clash between the Blues and the Reds over the years, and there was time for one last swansong before the Merseysiders move into their brand-new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for the 2025/26 season.

Everton had lost just one of their previous six league outings since the return of our former boss David Moyes to their dugout in January,

and they had the look of a team in form during the first half of a sunny lunchtime showdown in L4.

It was they who grabbed hold of the contest after a relatively even start to proceedings, establishing a two-goal lead just after the half-hour mark, to the delight of the boisterous home supporters.

The opener came when a corner was cleared as far as Abdoulaye Doucoure on the edge of the penalty area, whose inviting header back into the mix was swiped at and missed by Jesper Lindstrom, but fired into

EVERTON 2

Beto 19, Doucoure 33

Manchester United 2 Fernandes 72, Ugarte 80

United XI: Onana; Mazraoui (Yoro 70), Maguire, De Ligt; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro (Garnacho 62), Dorgu; Zirkzee, Fernandes (c); Hojlund (Obi 70)

Unused substitutes: Graczyk, Harrison, Heaven, Lindelof, Eriksen, Kone

Fernandes takes aim as the Reds fight back from two goals down, with the skipper later reducing the deficit with a precision free-kick V

Garnacho steps up the United attack after his second-half introduction

the ground, over Andre Onana and into the back of the net by Beto.

Doucoure, having claimed the assist for the breakthrough strike, then made it 2-0 on 33 minutes, when he completed a late run into the penalty box by leaping to head home on the rebound, after Jack Harrison’s initial attempt was diverted into the air by Onana.

A speculative long-range curler from Manuel Ugarte, which evaded the target, was as close as Ruben Amorim’s Reds came to pulling one back before half-time, but things were to change after the interval.

Two important stops came first from Onana, however, with our Cameroonian stopper (below) preventing the deficit from becoming too tall a task to close by keeping out Jarrad Branthwaite’s header from a corner and, shortly after, a sweeping goalbound shot from Doucoure.

Bruno Fernandes then showed his quality at the other end. After our captain’s initial free-kick struck the raised arm of Doucoure in the wall, he made no mistake with the chance to go from a few yards further forward, leaving goalkeeper Jordan Pickford rooted to the spot as he powered the ball across the goal and into the far bottom corner.

It was the definition of a turning point with just under 20 minutes to go, and the now-nervy home crowd

“We managed to recover in the second half. But we didn’t exist in the first half, so the feeling is disappointment. Not with the point, not with the recovery, but we need to play both halves to compete in the best way”

helplessly watched on as their team’s advantage was wiped out in its entirety, when Ugarte struck home his first United goal to level the scores shortly after. Again, it was a Fernandes free-kick that provided a route to success. This time, our no.8 flighted the ball into the penalty area and after it was cleared to Ugarte on the edge of the box, he steadied its flight with his midriff before brilliantly volleying in on his weaker left foot.

Joshua Zirkzee and Fernandes – the latter voted our Man of the Match after an integral role in the comeback – both went agonisingly close to completing a thrilling turnaround in the time that remained, while at the other end, Onana was kept busy by

Beto’s close-range header that threatened to undo all our good work.

That wasn’t the conclusion to the story though and, for a brief moment, it looked as if Everton would have a last-gasp chance to win the game from the penalty spot, after referee Andy Madley deemed former Red Ashley Young had been fouled amid contact from Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire inside the 18-yard box.

As Goodison watched on, a consultation with the Video Assistant Referee followed and, after being advised to watch the incident again on the monitor, Madley overturned his decision to spare our blushes shortly before sounding the full-time whistle.

Two apiece it finished then, ensuring we took a hard-earned point on our last journey back from the blue half of Merseyside, as attentions began to turn to our next league outing tonight.

Ugarte celebrates his first goal for the Reds after his left-foot volley puts us level

The United fans watch on as a final visit to Goodison conjures up another dramatic encounter

– Ruben Amorim

United protest the awarding of a late Everton penalty before it was overturned with the help of VAR

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PROCESSION FOR THE KING

The funeral cortege of Denis Law makes its way past Old Trafford on Tuesday 11 February 2025, soundtracked by warm, respectful applause from United supporters and club staff gathered along Sir Matt Busby Way. There was further applause as the procession neared Manchester Cathedral for the funeral service, where Denis’s family and close friends were joined by United coaches, first-team players, staff and many other greats of the game. Among the 500-plus guests inside the cathedral was Sir Alex Ferguson, who gave a reading at the service. Speaking of his fellow Scotsman, a man he so admired, he said: “He was called The King at Manchester United and, at the end of the day, he earned that.” The service was one of remembrance and celebration – both of Law the sublime footballer but also of Denis as a truly gracious person. It was a fitting send-off to a man much loved on and off the pitch.

CUP DEFENCE CONTINUES

Last time out at Old Trafford, Amorim’s Reds left it late – very late – to see off the challenge of Leicester and move a step closer to another Wembley return...

Maguire basks in Cup euphoria after heading the Reds into this Sunday’s fifth-round showdown with Fulham

In a nutshell...

The Reds’ fine FA Cup form continued earlier this month, as yet another all-Premier League tie was decided at the death at Old Trafford. After Joshua Zirkzee tapped in to cancel out Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s opener for Leicester City, former Foxes defender Harry Maguire powered home an injury-time header to book a fifth-round berth for Ruben Amorim’s side.

Okay, give us more detail…

Having sidled past Arsenal via a penalty shoot-out in the third round, the Reds were once again faced with top-tier opposition as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side pitched up for a Friday-night Cup tie under the Old Trafford floodlights. A lacklustre first period was dwindling to a close when, shortly before the interval, the visitors broke the deadlock as De Cordova-Reid headed in from close range. Galvanised by the introduction of substitute Alejandro Garnacho, the Reds levelled midway through the second half when Zirkzee stroked home following approach work by Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund. For all United’s growing dominance, extra-time apparently beckoned until, deep into the second minute of injury-time, full-back James Justin conceded a free-kick for handball on the touchline in front of the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand. With United attacking the Stretford End and skipper Bruno Fernandes preparing to deliver the ball, the collective sense of potential grew inside the stadium. Fernandes’s pinged delivery initially tempted goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who then elected

to backpedal towards his line, giving towering centre-back Maguire a clear run to thump a header into the far corner.

In the absence of VAR – which only comes into play in the later rounds of the FA Cup – the goal stood, Maguire’s offside starting position mercifully missed by the officials, and the reigning Cup holders moved into the last 16 of this season’s competition.

What’s the significance?

If the story seems familiar, it’s because the memories are so recent. Only last term, the FA Cup provided a beacon of solace in a season of tumult and, in the eyes of match-winner Maguire, the competition remains vital to this group of players as they adjust to a mid-season change of head coach. “We want to take this competition really seriously,” stressed the defender. “We did last year and obviously we’re the holders. We have a big responsibility to perform in this competition.”

Though there was a rarity to Maguire’s intervention – his second goal of the season, fourth career goal for the Reds in the Cup and just the ninth instance of a United player scoring against his former side in the competition – he insisted that the focus remain on his side’s collective fortunes. “It’s not just about me,” he said. “It’s about the team and winning football matches and trying to

Left: Maguire swoops in to meet Fernandes’s long-range free-kick with a well-placed header to condemn his former club to a stoppage-time elimination

Below: Zirkzee lifts the mood around Old Trafford after levelling the tie in the 68th minute

get this club back to where it should be. At the moment we’re not where we should be but tonight is a good win to get through to the next round.”

And how did that go down?

For Amorim, a short-term view was the only appropriate reaction, and he insisted that improved displays in the immediacy were –and are – far more important than looking too far ahead. “I cannot focus just on saving the season with the momentum of the Cup,” said the Portuguese. “I’m not thinking about the end of the season now, because the final is at the end of the season. I don’t care about that; I care about the moment. The moment is clearly not good enough. It’s a good result. We move forward to the next stage.”

For Amorim (left) and his players, that takes the form of this Sunday’s fifth-round visit of Fulham, where staff, squad and supporters will have to unite once more to keep moving forward together.

ERIKSEN Christian

“We

know that things can change so quickly…”

You passed a fairly significant milestone recently: 300 Premier League games. How proud are you of that achievement? I’m very proud. Obviously, it’s been a lot of years to get to that point, but no, I’m proud of any game I’ve played in the Prem, and I can look back and realise I played 300 games in the Premier League.

That’s so many seasons in what is widely seen as the most challenging league in football. How have you adapted over the years with tactics changing, new ideas being brought in, young players coming in... I’ve liked the challenges in different ways. I think before I came it was always like ‘he’s a skinny guy from Denmark and he played at Ajax’. I think I proved that any player can really compete in the Premier League if you’re good enough. It’s been fun with all

the different challenges, with different styles of play from different managers, different players. Yeah, it’s been fun.

You started at Tottenham in 2013 and had a short spell at Brentford too.  You’re into your third year here now. How do you reflect on the journey you’ve made over that time?

Yeah, I think it’s been special. I would say after I left Spurs to go to Italy [early in 2020], I thought, I’m never coming back to the Prem. So that’s also a sign of how quick things change in football. That’s just what happened – and I really enjoyed my time at Brentford, and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.

How have you seen the league change over the years – have you noticed it getting bigger and bigger on a global scale? Fresh from reaching a career milestone, our no.14 looks at the club’s growing Danish contingent, the ever-changing Premier League, and what lies ahead in the final few months of 2024/25…

I don’t know with the global, I think it’s always been very big, the Premier League, when you’re in it. It depends what club you’re at – when you’re at the biggest club or have the biggest fan base, you obviously are going to see how big it is in their own fan base. But yeah, the changing of, let’s say, the league’s competitiveness – over the years that has changed. When I first came to Spurs, it was a bit more like five clubs at the top and now it could be anyone really. I think that’s changed – it’s getting more and more competitive.

We’ve been looking at some stats –you’re actually only three Premier League assists behind one of the all-time greats in David Beckham. How nice would it be to overtake him eventually? Yeah, that would be special, of course. So, the next milestone is three more!

You’ve also got the record for the most Premier League goals scored by a Danish player, so you’ve definitely made your mark on the division... I think if you look at all the stats you’re mentioning and the numbers come back in history later on... I mean, that’s just the benefit of what I’ve done, what I’ve achieved. But I’m proud of, first of all, the games, but also the times I could be involved in scoring a goal or setting up a goal. Yeah, I’ve made history for a Danish guy!

“We’re in tough times, but it’s also football. It’s up to us to change that in the league and then go for the other trophies”

If you had to pick your best Premier League moments at United, what would they be?

There’s a few. One of the first Arsenal games at home [the 3-1 win in September 2022], that was one of the big ones to remember, the feeling of the club and the stadium and getting used to new team-mates and playing in the red shirt. It was just special that day.

It’s obviously been a season of ups and downs, but when we start March, we’ll have a chance of still winning two trophies – do you think we still can have a successful season in the FA Cup and the Europa League? The Europa League – we want to win that, obviously. Then you have the FA Cup… we did that last year and we’re trying to defend our title. But obviously the main thing is the Premier League, and I think we have to up ourselves and be better, to finish the season

With 300 Premier League appearances under his belt –63 of them as a Red – Eriksen believes he has plenty more to offer and is determined to help improve our fortunes

strong. Of course, we’re in tough times, but it’s also football. As I said before, things can change so quickly and it’s up to us to really change that and then still go for the other trophies.

You say things can change quickly, and you’ve been here for the last two seasons and we’ve won a trophy each time. So how important is it to lay down that marker? And how important could it be for this squad to win a trophy?

Very important. But it’s also the point that, as players, you can’t hide behind the trophy. I think we still need to show ourselves and do better in the Prem, which of course is the main thing – then to be able to get some bigger trophies later on and prove the club right. Of course, it’s always nice to get as far as possible and get a trophy, but in the end we can’t hide behind that.

We’ve recently added Patrick Dorgu to the squad. You’ll know him from Denmark. What can he bring to the team?

I think you’ve seen already what he can bring. He’s an athletic full-back and a good player on the ball that likes to go forward. And he’s a very nice guy. There’s not many Danish guys who aren’t nice guys! So I think he fits in well. He has to get used to everything in the Prem and at this club, but he’s in good hands. I think he’ll do really well.

It’s been a fast rise for him, hasn’t it, because he scored on his Denmark debut as well, with his first touch – a game you played in, right? I actually think he came on for me – and he scored, yes! I think he had a very good debut for Denmark and obviously he’s built on that since. I hope he will continue building,  helping Denmark and also helping United.

We’ve got quite the Danish contingent here now with yourself and Rasmus too. Is there as much interest as ever back in Denmark about United and the Premier League? Yeah, there is, but there’s always been that, more or less. For a few years you had [Peter] Schmeichel here at the club, so I think the connection with Danish people has always been close. But at the moment, of course, we’re three or four from Denmark [along with Chido Obi] and it’s a lot compared to what there has been before. But at the same time it means that Danish guys

are good players and they can play at a big  club, and we can really show the country.

We wanted to ask about another young player in Toby Collyer, who plays in your position. What have you made of him coming into the team and the qualities he brings as well? I really like Toby. Toby is a nice guy. He’s a good worker, a hard worker. He runs around a lot, I think he doesn’t feel any running – he’s just pure lungs, a guy who will run forever! At the same time, he’s also improving his skills in terms of being on the ball and stuff. So yeah, I really like him as a person and as a player.

Bruno Fernandes said Toby is eager to learn.  Is Toby someone who would come to you or Bruno to ask for advice?

I don’t think he’s asking for much advice, he’s more the type who is looking around and sucking everything in, from what he’s seeing people doing. He’s taking his knowledge from looking at other players, I think.

What have you made of your own season personally? Prior to the Everton game, you’ve got four goals and four assists from 21 games, so not too bad a return for a midfielder… It’s been, for the club and personally, a season with a lot of ups and downs. I’ve been in and outside of the team, sometimes playing,

“Being 33 doesn’t mean I feel old. I feel good, like I have lots of years to go at the top level”

sometimes not. But yeah, like in general, I’ve been happy. I’ve been fit, only a small illness now, but I’ve recovered from that and I’m fully fit to go again. So, in terms of that then, yeah, I’m trying to do my best.

We’ve seen you come on and make a difference in games as well, using your experience: the pass for Amad’s winning goal against Southampton, for example. How do you keep a cool head in those situations, in order to read the game and work out what needs to be done? When you’ve played more than 300 Premier League games, you get to know how the games are going and you try to adapt into the game you’re coming into. And obviously when you’re coming on, you try to make a difference depending on the result. And like the one to Amad, I mean it’s just a good one-two and a very good finish. But in general, I think anyone

who comes on wants to make a difference and show themselves, and I’ll be the same.

And your set-pieces are always dangerous  too: free-kicks, corners. Do you have a competition with Bruno in that regard? It’s not a competition, but we definitely do work on them. If it’s set-pieces, if it’s free-kicks, if it’s corners, doing a few set-piece drills. And obviously in the game you have a few to kick as well. It’s always been something that I enjoy doing, and I know I’m good at it, yeah.

Just finally, to come back to your Premier League milestone – do you still feel like you have a lot to offer with your experience and ability to change a game?

Definitely I do. Now being 33 doesn’t mean I’m feeling old. I feel good. I feel like I have a lot of years still to go at the top level. I haven’t played as much, so I have enough energy left over.

Sharing a celebratory moment with Amad after helping him on his way to a match-winning hat-trick against Southampton with an important assist

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IPSWICH TOWN

KIERAN M c KENNA’S SIDE

FACE A REAL FIGHT IN THE WEEKS AHEAD, AS THEY AIM TO PRESERVE THEIR NEWLY FOUND TOP-FLIGHT STATUS. NEXT UP FOR THE TRACTOR BOYS? A FIRST LEAGUE TRIP TO OLD TRAFFORD SINCE 2001...

Nickname: The Tractor Boys

Founded: 1878

Ground: Portman Road (capacity 30,056)

Last season: Championship, 2nd

Top achievements: First Division champions: 1961/62

Runners-up: 1980/81, 1981/82

FA Cup winners: 1978

UEFA Cup winners: 1981

NEED TO KNOW

If Kieran McKenna wanted a reaction after Ipswich Town’s four Premier League defeats in a row, he certainly got it at half-time 11 days ago at Aston Villa. The former Reds assistant boss had just watched his side go down to 10 men, but the Ulsterman saw his players’ determination to bloody the Champions League-chasers’ noses and, 11 minutes later the Tractor Boys led a team who hadn’t lost at home in the Premier League since August.

Napoli loanee Jens Cajuste’s sweeping crossfield ball found the feet of Omari Hutchinson, who sped to the byline and centred for precocious striker Liam Delap to power past Axel Disasi at the front post and flick home. It was a superb move, the distillation of everything good about McKenna’s side since his December 2021 arrival – direct, energetic and with devastating quality. Though Ollie Watkins levelled, the Suffolk side proved their character.

“They’re together, rock-solid and improving,” said McKenna at full-time. “To produce the organisation, spirit, resilience we did in the second half, with different players coming on to the pitch who haven’t played as much, was a real good sign of the mentality of the group.”

experienced new stopper

One of those new faces to particularly impress was January signing Alex Palmer, making his Premier League debut at 28, more than 200 appearances into his career. The former West Brom goalkeeper made a handful of superb, point-winning saves, the last of which

TACTICS BOARD

– an instinctive, 93rd-minute reaction to two deflections in the box – team-mate Delap described as “the best save I’ve ever seen”. McKenna was no less effusive. “To bring in a goalkeeper who’s in match rhythm and confident at this stage of the season, and he’s played with two of the back four today as well [at West Brom], is pretty good business,” he said. With tricky attackers Jaden Philogene and Julio Enciso, plus dynamic defender Ben Godfrey, also among the winter arrivals, the sense of renewal at Portman Road is palpable as they seek to overhaul Wolves, who they beat 2-1 in mid-December, and ensure another

Though Ipswich see less of the ball now than during back-to-back runners-up seasons in League One and the Championship, McKenna still demands his side press feverishly once opponents cross the halfway line and then transition at pace to take advantage of any space in the final third. Set up in a 4-2-3-1 system without the ball, the Tractor Boys allow left-back Leif Davis, fit again after a knock before the draw at Villa, to progress high and wide to leave centre-backs Dara O’Shea and Jacob Greaves, and either Axel Tuanzebe or Ben Johnson at right-back, as protection. Captain Sam Morsy and Manchester City loanee Kalvin Phillips sit deep as a pair of midfield anchors to offer playmaker Hutchinson free rein to create between the lines in the inside-right channel. Crosses for centre-forward Delap, whose 10th goal of a superb season came against Villa, to attack are vital, with Wes Burns, Nathan Broadhead and Sammie Szmodics, plus loanees Philogene and Enciso, rotated in wide areas.

Premier League season after 22 years away. Other league victories against Tottenham and a then title-chasing Chelsea prove their low-possession style – no top-flight team averages less of the ball – can work, especially with Delap, a supremely capable young striker, running the channels. If they can improve either side of half-time – only Leicester have conceded more goals in the 15 minutes either side of the break – safety is surely within reach, which would be a remarkable achievement after successive promotions. “The group will fight to the last breath,” said McKenna recently. “The mindset is really strong.”

Ipswich’s players show their delight at taking a draw from Villa Park – a result they’ll be out to build on in March

CREATIVE HUB

Omari Hutchinson

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder’s 15 goal involvements last season provided the creative juices to end Ipswich’s 22-year Premier League absence, and the Chelsea academy graduate has again impressed since making his loan permanent for a club-record fee. A gifted, two-footed dribbler, he has two goals – including a long-range stunner against the Reds in November’s 1-1 draw at Portman Road – and two assists to his name this term and has returned to the England U21 fold after briefly playing for Jamaica.

THROWBACK FORWARD

Liam Delap

Delap’s 10th goal of his first season as a Premier League regular – a figure only bettered for Ipswich by Marcus Stewart’s 19 in 2000/01 – was different to anything that preceded it. A throwback centre-forward, the powerful 22-year-old displayed an impressive deftness of touch to flick the 10-man Tractor Boys into the lead at Aston Villa 11 days ago, highlighting a versatility in technique to go the with the England U21 man’s prodigious aerial ability. Such flexibility is vital if the Suffolk side are to retain their Premier League status. “It’s good movement from Liam and a different type of goal for him as well,” said manager Kieran McKenna post-Villa. “It’s really good for Liam and there are not many like him in terms of the mixed threat he has.” The former Stoke, Preston and Hull loanee, whose father Rory was famous for his long-throw exploits, is an expert at carrying the ball with his feet to help get Ipswich up the pitch, doing so on 118 occasions this season – second only to Newcastle’s Alexander Isak among Premier League strikers. Senior action with the Three Lions could be next, in a blossoming career.

DELIVERY SPECIALIST

Leif Davis

There are few left foots as deadly, from set pieces or anywhere in the opposition’s final third, as Davis’s. The 25-year-old racked up 21 assists from full-back in Town’s last promotion season and has posted more minutes this term than any Ipswich player. A graduate of Wallsend Boys Club – the same youth team that reared Alan Shearer and Michael Carrick – his buccaneering forward runs and diligent defending are vital to coach McKenna’s high-pressing philosophy.

THE SQUAD GOALKEEPERS

DEFENDERS

MIDFIELDERS

FORWARDS

THE RIVALRY... IN 100 WORDS

Both born in 1878, tonight’s teams didn’t meet in the league until November 1961, when future England boss Alf Ramsey’s Ipswich won 4-1 at Portman Road en route to the title in their maiden top-flight season. That sizeable scoreline proved instructive, with 5-0, 5-3 and 7-2 Reds victories soon following, before a 6-0 Ipswich win in March 1980 that might have been worse had Gary Bailey not saved three penalties! Most memorable, though, was the 9-0 victory of March 1995, when Andy Cole became the first Premier League player to net five goals (right), in our joint-record Premier League win.

58 PLAYED

Classic picture

This chaotic image was taken on 21 March 1981 – a day when Dave Sexton’s United and Bobby Robson’s Ipswich slogged it out at a mud-strewn Old Trafford in search of top-flight points. To the far right is Ipswich keeper Paul Cooper, who had just saved a shot from Kevin Moran, only for it to rebound to full-back Jimmy Nicholl (out of shot), who drove home a long-ranger as no.8 Garry Birtles watches on – one of only three Nicholl goals in 197 league appearances for United. The strike would prove enough to get us the win, following earlier goals by Terry Butcher for the visitors (seven mins) and Mickey Thomas for the Reds (17 mins), in front of 46,685 fans. The result would be pivotal for both sides: for United, it kickstarted a run of seven straight league wins to end 1980/81, taking us up to eighth place, while for title-chasing Ipswich – who would win the UEFA Cup that season – it ended a 12-game unbeaten league run, with just three wins in their last 10 outings ultimately seeing them fall to second place, behind champions Aston Villa.

→ No player has been more prolific in this fixture than the recently departed Denis Law, whose 10 Reds goals came in just 11 games, including hat-tricks in November 1962 (right) and September 1963. Paul Mariner, meanwhile, struck eight for Ipswich against United between 1978 and 1982.

→ Sir Bobby Robson’s 28 matches in this fixture between 1968-1982 remains the most for a manager of either club. The future England boss had a good record, too, overseeing just six defeats in 20 encounters from December 1971 to April 1982.

→ Paul Scholes scored on his league debut for the Reds when coming off the bench against Ipswich in September 1994 (right). The first of his 107 Premier League strikes, it drew United level at 2-2, before Steve Sedgley’s winner for the Suffolk side, just nine minutes from time.

→ Current Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira marked his first Reds start with a goal in our 3-0 League Cup defeat of Ipswich in September 2015 –the only meeting between the sides here since Ipswich’s relegation in 2001/02.

Ipswich Town’S RECORD v UNITED

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UNITED!

Duncan’s big anniversary

Dudley will pay tribute to its favourite son this April, in honour of his record-breaking England debut…

A special dinner will be held in Duncan Edwards’ hometown of Dudley in the spring, to mark 70 years since the United legend made his England debut.

The Busby Babe was first selected by the Three Lions for a memorable 7-2 victory over Scotland at Wembley on Saturday 2 April 1955 – a game that also featured future United manager Tommy Docherty, representing Scotland. At 18 years and 183 days old, Edwards was, at the time, the youngest England debutant of the 20th century – a record he held until Michael Owen’s debut in 1998.

The event in Dudley is being hosted by Duncan Edwards United – an organisation dedicated to the development of the legacy and the heritage of Duncan Edwards, that aims to actively encourage diversity in grassroots football and assist former players no longer able to fully support themselves.

The dinner will take place at the Copthorne Hotel on Wednesday 2 April and will include a number of celebrity guests, including United hero and former England captain Bryan Robson OBE.

“I am proud and delighted to be part of an evening in Dudley that celebrates the legend of local boy Duncan Edwards and his remarkable career in an England international shirt,” said Robbo.

The night will feature a special three-course meal, plus the presentation of an exclusive collection of Duncan’s 18 England caps – which have been recreated at the factory in England that produced his original

England line up at Wembley ahead of the 1955 meeting with Scotland, a game in which Edwards made his record-breaking international debut

caps, using the same production process and materials. A selection of these replica caps (right) will be part of an exciting auction on the night, with all profits to be used to support communitybased projects in Dudley and the Black Country, and expand the Duncan Edwards Archives.

If you are interested in attending, ticket info is available at duncanedwardsunited.com. Fans can also contact Jim Cadman on 07971 624627 or via jwc@duncanedwardsunited.com.

Edwards is flanked by England team-mates Stanley Matthews and Billy Wright during international practice at Highbury

UNITED IN RECOVERY

An initiative started by United fans is inspiring many to overcome addiction, making their match-going experience more enjoyable...

For a long, long time, English football has wrestled with its complicated relationship to alcohol and drugs. Since 1985, fans of the professional men’s game have not been permitted to drink in sight of the pitch, while recent research has revealed the rising use of cocaine.

Such hedonism can lead to a range of problems, not least addiction. But since 2017, the organisation United in Recovery (UiR) – founded by United fan Gaz Black – has been fighting back. The idea? To reward and encourage football fans recovering from addiction with complimentary tickets. Eight

years on, UiR now works with clubs across the country – including United, via our Foundation –to support those on the path to lasting sobriety.

“I got clean and sober at the end of 2016, after years of battling addiction – my main one was alcohol,” Gaz tells UR. “I’ve just turned eight years’ sober, but it was a struggle. I was in and out of hospital all the time; I was in a really, really bad way. I got made redundant, I’d finished with my missus... I just knew I wanted to change things. So I went to AA [Alcoholics Anonymous] and I’ve not had a drink since.”

Black has barely missed a United game, home or away, in 20-plus years. But upon starting his

recovery journey, he feared he would have to give up going to the match. “I didn’t think I’d be able to go and not drink, basically,” he admits.

“You know what the culture can be like.”

But Gaz continued. And, contrary to his fears, he found that United games were actually helping him stay sober. Even better, he was enjoying the football more.

“United has helped me so much to get this far,” he explains. “I’ll think: ‘I’ve got Spurs away on Saturday’ – that’s something to look forward to. You get into the game more; you remember things more! Your relationship with other fans goes in a positive direction, too. You become

UiR founder Gaz Black (right of photo) enjoys attending matches more than ever

Dave Henderson (left of photo) got a “massive lift” from meeting Gaz and returning to United games

someone people trust, and a better person, when you’re not off your head.”

Those learnings soon led Black to an idea: ‘If it’s helping me, it might help others…’ He started inviting people in recovery to games. Then he started UiR, knocked up a website, and reached out to clubs like Stockport County, Wigan Athletic and Forest Green.

“My biggie was obviously to get United involved. I reached out to the Foundation and they’ve been great, particularly Amy and Hayley. So thank you. The Foundation donated some tickets for home games and we’ve just gone from there, really.”

He later partnered with addiction support services like Acorn Recovery Projects, to share tickets with others on the road to recovery. Dave Henderson, from Manchester, was one Red who benefited. “It gave me a massive lift,” says Henderson. “I went into rehab just over 18 months ago and I was absolutely ruined, a shell of a person. About four months in, I got introduced to Gaz and he just said: ‘Would you like to start going to the game?’

“I was a bit apprehensive at first, being around people drinking,” he continues. “I was going to the game since I was 15; it was a big part of my life, going with the lads and having a drink, using drugs. That was part of the reason I went, I suppose. But the older I got, I didn’t slow down, and United wasn’t really my interest any more; it was more my using and my drinking. It

“I didn’t think I’d be able to go [to matches] and not drink. United has helped me so much to get this far. You get into the game more, and your relationship with other fans goes in a positive direction”

got really bad; I was homeless; I had nothing. To be in the position I am today, being confident enough to be around people... I’ve been in the boozer before games and I don’t have any urges, which is brilliant. It shows me I can do things I used to, but sober. I can go home after and be all right. It’s great to know that there are people out there that want to help fellow people in recovery and give us an opportunity to go. It’s a really beautiful thing.”

UiR has already helped many Reds, and fans of countless other clubs, and a clear network of solidarity has formed. “It’s mainly at away games,” notes Black. “People will say:

‘Where are you today, Gaz? Do you want to go to Costa?! I always encourage people who can drink to have one for me; I don’t shy away from being around it. But you’re attracted to your own and where you’re up to in life.”

The aim now is to spread the message further; to let others imprisoned by addiction know that help is available. That you can be in recovery and still follow your team.

“United in Recovery is all about paying forward the message of recovery,” states Gaz. “If you think you’ve got an issue, speak to friends or family, go to a meeting, or reach out to me on the website. If we can help or encourage one person, then we’ve done our job.”

For more information visit unitedinrecovery.co.uk or head to @unitedinrecovery on Instagram

Acorn Recovery Projects, based in Stockport, has also been able to help Reds on the road to recovery, such as Ben and Graham (pictured)

Henderson (right of photo) is part of a network of solidarity between Reds who are coping with addiction

MESSAGES for matchday

SHOUT-OUTS!

A very big happy 30th birthday, Thomas McGilveray. Here’s to plenty more fabulous years and watch out for them grey hairs! All my love, Lauren.

Happy 40th birthday to Damian Mackle, AKA Damo. Have a great time at tonight’s game.

Wishing a happy birthday from all of us at United to Adam Luckman.

To Ravi Parmar: ‘have a happy 25th birthday, Bestieee!’

Joyeux anniversaire, Matthieu. He turns 18 on 26 March and lives in Paris, where he never misses watching a United game.

Have a very happy 12th birthday and a great time at Old Trafford, Elijah Taylor.

Happy 10th birthday to Fionn Burke, attending tonight’s game with his mum, dad and brother, Donncha.

Many happy returns to Teddie Luxton, celebrating his 12th birthday with his first game at the Theatre of Dreams.

Thomas Sweet is here with his partner, Morgan, to celebrate turning 23 with his first game at the Theatre of Dreams. Have a great time.

Happy 27th birthday to Carl McVeigh for 27 February. We hope you enjoy an early celebration at Old Trafford this evening.

Happy birthday to Jaskomal Kaur Brar, who turns 25 today and is here to watch with her brother, Harjot Singh Brar, and father, Harminder Singh Brar.

Kade Buchanan-Wright is very excited to be at Old Trafford watching his favourite team play.

‘Happy 76th birthday to my grandad, Robert, a lifelong United fan who brought me to my first game in 2014 –now I’m returning the favour, 11 years on. Love from Jacob.’

Happy 14th birthday to Zach Jones, pictured on his first visit to Old Trafford three years ago. Love from all the family.

Celebrating his 15th birthday on 26 February is Kai Camilleri Turner, a proud Maltese supporter of United, who enjoys special moments and creates lasting memories at Old Trafford with his parents and friends.

Welcome to Al, Candace, Isla, and Ashton Cooke, who have travelled from Nicaragua.

Wishing a happy 12th birthday to Luke Noonan. With love from Mum, Dad and Libby.

Welcome to the Bonhams! Dad and son Lee are here at Old

To Dean: wishing a happy 60th birthday to the best dad and grandad we could wish for. We love you so much! United, always. Love Ryan and Luna.

Happy 18th birthday, Zac We hope you enjoy the game. Love Mum, Dad and Max.

Trafford from County Fermanagh.

Happy birthday to Noah Chidgey, who turns 14 on 28 February. He’s here tonight in the Stretford End, singing along and cheering on the Reds.

Sol is very excited to bring his younger brother, Theo, to his first United game at Old Trafford. Hoping for a Reds win tonight!

‘Dad Nish celebrates his birthday on 27 February, while Viren (seven) and Neel (three) are our birthday twins on 23 February. Wishing our boys a very happy birthday at Old Trafford! Love Mummy (Nita) and Shriya.’

Happy birthday to Duncan Wilcock, who’s celebrating turning 60 this month. He and wife Mary are both big Reds and season ticket holders.

Ronnie Weeks is only 13 weeks old but already a big Red in the United babygrow that mum puts him in for every game. Love it!

Happy 11th birthday, Cillian. Love from Mum, Dad, Charlotte and Cerys. Enjoy the game.

to Cian

Isaac Wilkes turns 10 on 1 March and is here tonight for his first Old Trafford match, with brother Finley, eight, and dad Alex.

Wishing a happy 40th birthday to Nitesh Patel. We hope you enjoy your birthday present!

Wishing a very happy eighth birthday to Henri. We hope you and Annie enjoy the game.

Happy 40th birthday to an amazing husband and daddy, Shaun Mulligan. Have a great birthday celebration. Lots of love from Trisha, Colleen and Aoife.

To Karol: ‘Dear son, on your birthday, I wish you all the best and successful travels following your own path. I love you very much. Your daddy.’

Happy 37th birthday to Joshua Ponsami for 22 February. We hope it was a day full of happiness and celebration.

Happy second birthday to Oakley Watson for 28 February, with lots of love from Mummy, Daddy and Finnley.

Happy 10th birthday to Jude McCutcheon.

Wishing a happy 10th birthday to George Comish.

Big hello to Archie and Charlie Mannion from Northern Ireland, who are attending their first United game with Ryan Carey. Hope you enjoy the match.

Wishing a very happy 23rd birthday for 25 February to Matthew Goss, an avid Red who lives in South Africa.

Happy 18th birthday to Lucas Wallace for 27 February. Lots of love from Mum, Dad, Jude and Aunty Lisa-Marie.

Happy 23rd birthday, Ryan Hircock. Love Dad.

Pip celebrated his eighth birthday by coming to Old Trafford for United v Leicester in the FA Cup. He lives and breathes United, and his idols are Alejandro Garnacho and Amad. Hope you had a brilliant time, Pip!

Hello

Stokes, Conor Stokes and Zoe Stokes Smyth, who have travelled over from Ireland for tonight’s game.

We hope Logan Lytham enjoyed his first game at the Theatre of Dreams, when he and his dad Jake came for the Leicester match in the FA Cup recently.

Many happy returns for your 16th birthday, Holly Doxsey, and here’s hoping you had a fantastic time at your first Old Trafford fixture, against Leicester City.

Happy seventh birthday to Isabelle in the Stretford End, with love from Mummy, Daddy and all the family!

Welcome to M16, Kayla O Toole, and we hope you have a great time at the game tonight.

Happy 12th birthday, Lucas! Hope we secure the win for you today.

Happy birthday to Geordie Lee, a Red who turned 50 on 6 February. Lee (left) spotted this United shirt during a Nothing But Thieves gig.

Happy 40th birthday to Steven, AKA ‘Lawsy’. He spends most of his weeks supporting United and loves coming to Old Trafford, whether with family or friends. A loyal supporter and friend, his daily chats keep us informed of everything United. Steven (right) is pictured with his lads, Tiger and Bear, as well as friends Chris and Luna.

Wishing a big happy 60th birthday to Gail, hope you have the best day. Thank you for everything you do for us all. All our love, Madeline, Eve, Paul, Joan, Kirsty, Kian and Millie.

Here’s Alfie at his first proper Old Trafford game, against Leicester, celebrating his 13th birthday. The first of many! Many happy returns, Alfie. Love Mum, Daz and family.

Happy 12th birthday, Olivia May Hull. Lots of love from Mummy, Daddy and Joseph.

Finley was born last June and is already rocking a Reds shirt from 1994. Looks good on you, Finley!

Happy 10th birthday to our very special daughter, Emilie Satherley. Lots of love from Mum, Dad, Luke and Jos.

Happy 16th birthday to Lily Hampson for 4 February. Love from Dad, Mum and Poppy.

Max Canham and dad Andy were at the Crystal Palace game for Max’s first Old Trafford match. Despite the result, they both had a great time.

To Julie Quirke: Happy birthday, Mum. Hope you had a nice day and enjoy the game. Love from all the family.

Happy 17th birthday to Liam Smith of South Elmsall. Have a great day! Love always from Mam, Dad, Ian and all the family.

Happy seventh birthday for 27 February to Roman Perkin, who’s a big United and Alejandro Garnacho fan.

A very happy 52nd birthday to Lizzie for 27 February. Love from Mark.

Happy 70th birthday, Gar.

Happy birthday to Nicola Hamer of Llanidloes in Mid Wales. She’s here tonight and her first-ever United game was also against Ipswich, with her uncle, Keith, in 1995, in that famous 9-0 win – one she still recalls fondly to this day! Nicola’s 10-year-old son, Sonny, has inherited her love of football and the Reds, and she brings him to games as often as possible.

Big birthday wishes to Adam Lloyd, who is here at Old Trafford this evening, his first game, to celebrate turning 10.

Happy 60th birthday for 27 February, Stuart Sharp. Lots of love from Yvonne.

Many happy returns to Nathan Drysdale, here tonight celebrating turning 21. Have a great birthday.

‘Happy 11th birthday, Rhett. Know that you are very loved and I am very proud of you. Love always, Mum.’

Happy birthday to Luke Ashworth, celebrating turning 16. With love from all his family.

To Ben McCue: Hope you enjoy your 13th birthday present. Love Mum and Dad.

Jude turned six on 21 February. He’s United obsessed and a mini Stretford Ender. He loves Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Kobbie Mainoo, and is a fox in the box, telling his proud dad, Jim, that he’ll play for the Reds one day. We’d love to see that, Jude!

A big hello from everyone at United to Brian Munson, 86, who has supported the Reds his entire life. Have a great time at the game tonight.

Shout-out to Alfie Fleming, 11, from Ireland. He’s here for his first time at Old Trafford.

‘In memory of Lewis Michael Henson Roberts, sadly taken from us tragically on 2 January, age 27. Son to Lee and Hayley, brother to Anna, we miss you beyond belief. Lewis’s passion was everything United; it was his world. He simply lived and breathed the Reds. He cooked for his hero, Bryan Robson, once in his chef days. ‘The best day of my life,’ he said. Simply the most devoted United supporter in the world, it’s all he talked about. So proud of you, so brave, you really are our hero. Love you forever and more, Mummy, Daddy and sister Anna. Keep that United flag flying high up there.’

Tony Armstrong sadly passed after a battle with cancer on 14 January, aged 78. He was a loving husband and dad, and a lifelong Manchester United fan, as well as being a true gentleman. Rest in peace.

Happy 11th birthday to Ruben Francis for 21 January. We hope you had a great time celebrating.

Happy ninth birthday to Thomas Jenkins for 14 February. His favourite player is Alejandro Garnacho, and he’s following in the footsteps of dad Nathan, who has been a fan for 33 years. Lots of love from Mum and Dad.

IN MEMORIAM

In memory of Leon Kisten, a devoted missionary who spread the gospel and built churches across India and beyond. His unwavering faith and compassion inspired countless lives. Yet, amid his global travels and selfless service, he remained steadfast in his love for Manchester United. A person who made sure to watch every game without fail. No matter the result, he was someone who would scream like a coach! Today, we honour his legacy, celebrating a life that embodied faith, family, and football.

In memory of Alfred Pomfret (21.12.1937 –23.01.2025), a season ticket holder at United for more than 50 years who tragically died outside Old Trafford before the Rangers game. Alf, from Glossop in Derbyshire, will be sadly missed by his son, Graeme, and wife, Josie.

To Theo Robinson: ‘Happy 11th birthday to our little man. Have the best day, you are loved so much. From Mum and Lulu.’

Happy birthday to Luna Anne Kirkham, who turns 10 on 28 February. Luna is often found singing ‘U-N-I-T-E-D’ from the North Stand with her dad. Lots of love, Mum, Dad, and dogs Van Persie and Branch.

‘My dad, Dale Nield, was a man who would only ever care and talk about United and his family. He’d do anything and everything to make sure we were all okay and had everything we needed. Any bit of guidance or advice you needed, my dad was always the one person with the answers to everything. He was a true inspiration to everyone, especially his family.’ – from Bobby.

‘My dad, Les Knibbs, died recently aged 73 and was a lifelong Red. He was from Gorton and supported United from a young age, with early memories of the Munich Air Disaster. His influence meant I became a fan, too, and we became season ticket holders when T2 Stretford End opened. This continued for several years until circumstances meant we had to give them up but we still got to games when we could. My son is also a United supporter and has fond memories of coming to games with my dad and doing the stadium tour. Dad loved being at Old Trafford, particularly with family and the friends he made close to our seats. RIP.’ – from Matthew.

FOR THE CLUB

PRESERVED IN PLASTER

#5 Harry Maguire

#17 Alejandro garnacho FIFA Puskas Award winner 2024

Also available at all Old Trafford kiosks and Megastore

TREBLE COLLECTORS

In honour of the late, great Denis Law, whose first-ever three-goal game for the Reds came against tonight’s visitors, we raise our hats to honour United’s top 10 hat-trick heroes…

In a United career

STAN PEARSON

(1937-54)

APPEARANCES: 343

HAT-TRICKS: 6

Like his great striking partner Jack Rowley, Salford-born Pearson was keen to make up for lost time in a career interrupted by war. Handed a first start at the age of 18 in November 1937’s 7-1 win at Chesterfield, he set up four goals for his promotion-bound team-mates, opening his own account in a 3-1 home win over Aston Villa the following week. Classy, cerebral, two-footed, and particularly adept at link-up play, Pearson was unstoppable in tandem with Rowley. Silk and steel, the pair shared 312 goals (Pearson 142, Rowley 170) in seven post-war seasons. The first of Pearson’s six club hat-tricks came in September 1946’s 5-0 trouncing of Liverpool at Maine Road (though the Merseysiders had the last laugh, ending the season champions by a single point). It was the ever-energetic Pearson that edged United 3-2 ahead in the dramatic 1948 FA Cup final tussle with Blackpool – fitting given that his most-celebrated trio had come in the 3-1 semi-final victory over Derby County. He reserved special treatment for the Rams – his final United hat-trick, at the Baseball Ground in September 1952, featured two goals in the final 10 minutes, helping Busby’s title-winners of 1951/52 turn defeat into triumph once more.

Herd couldn’t quite manage a hat-trick in our 1963 FA Cup final success, but a two-goal haul against Leicester that day was proof of his superb eye for goal

DAVID HERD

(1961-68)

APPEARANCES: 265

HAT-TRICKS: 6

Sixties retrospectives, understandably, focus on the deeds of Law, Best and Charlton, but David Herd’s name always elicits a nod of approval from those in the know. A £37,000 signing from Arsenal in 1961 (but raised in Moss Side alongside his pal Dennis Viollet), Herd endured a slow burn to his United career yet ended it as a club great. An out-and-out target man at Highbury, Busby demanded a more expansive approach from him – a challenge Herd rose to, not least after his brace in our FA Cup final victory in 1963. Dovetailing with Law that day was a huge turning point – a few months

later came the first of six United hat-tricks in December’s 3-1 home win over Sheffield Wednesday, and Herd ended the season with 21 goals. Despite missing the final third of 1966/67’s title triumph with a broken leg that effectively finished his United career – a second league winner’s medal to follow on from 1964/65 – there were two critical hat-tricks among his 16-goal haul that term. First, the four in late November’s 5-0 towsing of Sunderland at Old Trafford; and three more in a madcap 4-3 win at West Brom the week before Christmas – a game in which all the goals were scored in the first half. That quartet against Sunderland is a collector’s item: the goals scored past three different keepers – starting stopper Jim Montgomery replaced not once, but twice by outfield players Charlie Hurley and Brian Parke.

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that took in 148 goals, Pearson’s first and last treble came six years apart

Showing his prolific goalscoring in continental competition as he puts three past German side ASK Vorwarts in the 1965/66 European Cup

Across seven seasons as a Red, Herd’s goals helped us secure two league titles

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY

(2001-06)

APPEARANCES: 219

Ruud celebrates the first of his three hat-tricks on the way to the 2002/03 title

HAT-TRICKS: 6

It took a long time to get him here, but it didn’t take him long to get going. The most-ruthless finisher for United since Law, the proverbial fox in the box (just one goal from outside it), was delayed in his arrival from PSV by a year due to a knee injury. Pitching up and itching to go for 2001/02, Ruud’s first season brought 36 goals in 49 outings: the first of six club hat-tricks coming in December’s 6-1 mauling of Southampton. So too in that first season came a slice of history, as

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he became the first Red to score in 10 successive games. Whether crashing them in with left, right, or his head, the Dutchman was at his imperious best in 2002/03, with 44 strikes across the board. There were three threesomes as United took the title: he passed 50 goals for the club in November’s 5-3 win against Newcastle; slalomed through Fulham’s back-pedalling defence before deceiving keeper Maik Taylor for his second goal in March’s 3-0 hat-trick

JOE CASSIDY

(1893, 1895-1900)

APPEARANCES: 174

HAT-TRICKS: 6

First to a century of competitive goals for Newton Heath – plus a goalscoring hero in the ‘Test match’ that preserved First Division status in 1892/93 – Joe Cassidy combined a sharp shooter’s dead eye with excellent close control and an ability to roam across the forward line. Having rejoined from Celtic in March 1895, he topped the goal charts in four of the five seasons

success, and signed off with the match ball in the 4-1 romp over Charlton to end our home campaign. The following term saw him match Law’s European scoring best – hitting four in a Champions League victory over Sparta Prague; he also got his only hat-trick on the road, against Leicester in a 4-1 walkover. If you’re presenting the argument that great goalscorers are born not made, RvN’s DNA is a case in point.

between 1896 and 1900. The scorer of a hat-trick within the opening five minutes against Burton Wanderers in October 1896, his official tally of six trebles might have been greater still. Four goals in a 14-0 win over Walsall Town Swifts that marked his return to Newton Heath were chalked off, with the game voided by the Football League following complaints about the Bank Street pitch (team-mate Dick Smith would have been even more upset – he’d scored six). Cassidy’s last trio, in a 5-0 win over Luton Town in March 1900, was also one of his final games – ongoing financial woes saw him leave for Manchester City the following month.

Cassidy (middle) also hit the 100-goal milestone for the club with his final treble

TOMMY REID

(1929-33)

APPEARANCES: 101

HAT-TRICKS: 6

Goalscorers come in all shapes and sizes. Tommy Reid’s heavyweight physique raised eyebrows among his critics, but history records the numbers – and Reid’s compare with the best. A prolific finisher in a perennially struggling side, his strikes – mostly from his thunderous left foot – came at 0.663 per game (only Tommy Taylor and Ruud van Nistelrooy surpass that). Reid’s first of six hat-tricks – his solitary top-flight trio – was indicative of the chaos unfolding

around him during a calamitous 1930/31 campaign for the Reds that opened with 12 straight defeats. Despite opening the scoring early on against Newcastle at Old Trafford on 13 September, his efforts were in vain, as the Magpies ran out 7-4 winners. Arriving in February 1929 from Liverpool, Reid’s 14 goals in 17 games were critical in steering United away from the drop that season. Though he finished top scorer in 1930/31 with 20 in all competitions – including a hat-trick against Stoke in the FA Cup, once again not enough to secure victory in a 3-3 draw – 115 goals flew in at the other end in the league as we were relegated. In summer 1933, the 28-year-old Scot joined Oldham –against whom he’d hit three the previous season.

BOBBY CHARLTON

(1956-73)

APPEARANCES: 758

HAT-TRICKS: 7

Before the Munich Air Disaster, Bobby Charlton already had two senior trebles to his name, the first coming in his debut season at namesakes Charlton Athletic, the second just over a

Charlton celebrates Tommy Taylor’s second goal against his namesakes Charlton Athletic, on an afternoon when Bobby registered his first

fortnight before the crash as Bolton were walloped 7-2 at Old Trafford. His first after the tragedy provided a seismic moment: three goals in a 5-2 win on 23 August 1958 in the seasonal curtain-raiser against Chelsea, in front of an expectant 52,000 Old Trafford crowd and the returning Matt Busby, making a defiant statement of intent for a player and team bearing the raw scars of Munich. It took Charlton six minutes to make his mark; grabbing a second

inside the first half-hour, and a third after the break to restore a two-goal cushion. “There was magic in the air again,” he mused, close to half a century on, looking back on his third of six First Division hat-tricks – a haul bolstered by another in the 6-1 Cup Winners’ Cup romp at Borussia Dortmund in 1964. Later that season, in April 1965, came perhaps his most important hat-trick: three second-half efforts in a 5-0 win over Blackburn at Ewood Park. That victory struck a critical blow as United went toe to toe for the crown with a Leeds side that had knocked the Reds out of the FA Cup semi-final days before. The contribution was more valuable still, given that the title was eventually decided on goal average.

hat-trick

Bobby’s first treble came in only his sixth appearance for the Reds, with his senior debut – also against Charlton four months earlier – marked with two first-half goals

Four of Reid’s hat-tricks came in 1932 after the Reds had dropped down to Division Two

WAYNE ROONEY

(2004-17)

APPEARANCES: 559

HAT-TRICKS: 8

Few arrivals were as spectacular as Wayne Rooney’s. You had to go back to Charlie Sagar in September 1905 to find the only other Red to score a debut hat-trick. Rooney’s first of eight trebles, frazzling Fenerbahce in October 2004, came while still 19 – and this on the Champions League stage. Talk about being born to do it. Time will surely lend his goalscoring deeds greater perspective, but they rarely stopped coming across a gloriously consistent 13 years’ service, often in threes. He is best remembered for the individual moments of genius – that bicycle kick against City, the screamer against Newcastle – but there were days where Rooney

was just an unstoppable force of nature. Like on 2 April 2011, for instance, at West Ham –where his 14-minute second-half hat-trick (a gorgeous free-kick for the first, a stunning forward drive, then a penalty) turned a twogoal deficit on its head and kept the bid for title no.19 on track. Or later that calendar year, where he hit three at Old Trafford in an 8-2 victory to inflict Arsenal’s heaviest defeat since 1896, then repeated the feat at Bolton just a fortnight later (his second treble at the Reebok Stadium). Two years prior, Rooney had also taken home two match balls in quick succession, following a 4-1 win at Portsmouth in late 2009, then bagging all four United goals in a home romp against Hull City in early 2010. Wayne notched his final Reds hat-trick in fitting fashion, once again illuminating the Champions League as Club Brugge were thumped 4-0 on home turf.

3

DENNIS VIOLLET (1952-62)

APPEARANCES: 293

HAT-TRICKS: 9

That Denis Law was seen as a natural replacement for Viollet tells you just how good United’s first goalscoring Dennis was, or how supernatural both footballing forces were. Besides becoming the first man (one of only three) to score four in a European tie – this in the inaugural ‘home’ continental outing, a club-record 10-0 win over Anderlecht at Maine Road in September 1956 – Viollet’s partnership with Tommy Taylor was the match of any front pairing we’ve had. Stick thin, with a sprinter’s twitch, Viollet was the perfect foil for the bigger Taylor, whose brawn was matched with an instinct as razor-sharp as his Moss Side-born pal’s. The pair wreaked havoc until the Munich Air Disaster cruelly split that partnership. Viollet’s first hat-trick, in October 1954’s 6-5 win over that season’s eventual champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, came while he was still 20; the second in a 4-1 win at West Brom on Christmas Eve of the Babes’ first title-winning campaign in 1955/56. His FA Cup treble a month before Munich against Workington Reds set United on the road to Wembley but, perhaps unexpectedly, Viollet’s seasonal goalscoring best came post-disaster. Leading the line now in 1959/60, his 32 league strikes set a club record that still stands – augmented by a hat-trick away to Nottingham Forest – while in 1960/61, Dennis’s final full season with the Reds, he scored three apiece in both league clashes with Burnley.

#

Making a flying start to life as a Red as Rooney announces himself with a Champions League hat-trick against Fenerbahce in 2004

Completing his 2011 hat-trick against Arsenal from the spot to help the Reds inflict a heavy 8-2 defeat on the Gunners

Three goals across 14 minutes saw West Ham’s 2-0 lead vanquished in 2011

Viollet scores the second of his four goals in our 10-0 thrashing of Anderlecht

JACK ROWLEY

(1937-55)

APPEARANCES: 424

HAT-TRICKS: 12

Perhaps the most-remarkable thing about this most remarkable of goalscorers was that he saved his best until last – or close to it. In 1951/52, almost 15 years after scoring four in his second game, against Swansea – aged 17 years and 58 days, still the club’s youngest hat-trick scorer – the ‘Gunner’ finally got his hands on a First Division winner’s medal. That bullish attitude had always remained firmly intact, but in this, his ninth United campaign either side of the war, he went at it like a man possessed. He opened 1951/52 with hat-tricks four days

apart, against West Brom and Middlesbrough, before adding a third against Stoke in the seventh game. As United thrashed their only contenders, Arsenal 6-1, to take the crown on 26 April, Rowley’s fourth treble of the campaign made him the first United player ever to reach 30 goals in a season. It was the last of his 12 hattricks – four of which became quartets, or better. Put simply, here was a goal machine: five times in six immediate post-war seasons he topped the club’s scoring chart – striking partner Stan Pearson getting a look in for 1950/51. Let’s not forget the events of 12 February 1949: Rowley’s five goals against Yeovil Town in an 8-0 fifth-round victory for Busby’s FA Cup holders in front of 81,565 at Maine Road was United’s best personal feat since Harold Halse’s six against Swindon Town in the 1911 Charity Shield.

One of only four Reds to boast a double century of goals for United, Rowley’s final tally of 211 puts him fourth on our all-time scoring chart

Rowley scores his and United’s first against Yeovil in a famous Cup victory

DENIS LAW

(1962-73)

APPEARANCES: 404

HAT-TRICKS: 18

As covered by the outpouring of tributes which met the sad passing of Denis Law earlier this year, the Lawman had a quite ludicrous predilection for goalscoring. This list of United’s most prolific hat-trick scorers omits some stellar names – Ipswich fans may recall 1995 and Andy Cole’s five-goal haul in this fixture – and, in truth, nobody even comes close to the Scot when it comes to hitting hat-tricks. He bagged seven trebles – yep, seven – in the 1963/64 season alone, leading quite inevitably to the 1964 Ballon d’Or. By that stage, his first hat-trick in United’s colours had come with a four-goal haul against tonight’s visitors in November 1962, as Alf Ramsey’s champions were ousted 5-3 at Portman Road, where Law struck thrice inside 20 minutes and then, still hungry, tied up the result on 85 minutes. The following season, it was 7-2 in the same fixture, with three more for the Lawman. “I began to wish we could play them every month,” he said. In that seminal ’63/64 season, Denis’s penchant for match balls took in trebles against Ipswich, Willem II, Tottenham Hotspur, Stoke City, Bristol Rovers, Sporting and Sunderland, ensuring that he ended just his second season as a United player with 10 hat-tricks already to his name. That superhuman output had to slow, of course, but he still hit two trebles in four days in late 1964 (four against Aston Villa, just the three in the Fairs Cup decimation of Djurgardens) before reining in his rate of trebles between 1965 and 1971 – though European Cup minnows Waterford might well have felt victimized, with Law notching three in Ireland and four back at Old Trafford in 1968’s double-header. Those exploits set a record which still stands to this day, with Denis the only United player ever to score hat-tricks in both legs of a European tie – a fitting piece of history for a goalscoring machine beyond compare. ●

The first and third of his 18 hat-tricks came against Ipswich, with the Lawman pictured here after scoring one of his three goals against the Suffolk club in September 1963

Four of Law’s hat-tricks came in the FA Cup, with the free-scoring Scot pictured notching one here, in the 1964 fourth-round defeat of Bristol Rovers

Spurs would be the third of seven clubs to succumb to Law’s treble exploits during a remarkable 1963/64 season

Waterford were twice humbled by a Denis treble, the Lawman adding a fourth for good measure in the European return leg at Old Trafford in 1968

First and last

United goalkeeper Harry Gregg dives to his right to palm away a shot from Ipswich Town forward Jimmy Leadbetter in the first-ever meeting between United and the Suffolk club, at Old Trafford in January 1958.

The FA Cup fourth-round tie against the Division Two side was settled by two goals from Bobby Charlton, one in each half, in what proved to be the final home game before the Munich Air Disaster. Pictured in the foreground are (left to right): Roger Byrne, Gregg, Bill Foulkes, Ipswich centre-forward Tom Garneys, Duncan Edwards, Leadbetter and Eddie Colman. Three of those would be among the eight United players who lost their lives due to the tragic accident on 6 February 1958.

Manchester Evening News reporter Tom Jackson, who himself would be one of the eight journalists to perish in Munich, wrote of this Cup victory: ‘It’s a long, long time from the mud and slush of January to the lush green of Wembley in May, but you can’t blame Manchester United for believing their chances of reaching the FA Cup final are equally as good as last season. True, United had only two goals to spare over Ipswich, but the Busby Boys always seemed to have something in hand.’

Jackson’s words were to prove prescient in the most tragic of ways: the Reds did indeed reach Wembley, losing 2-0 to Bolton, but with a side almost unrecognisable. Only four of the players who appeared in the fourth round would walk out for the final: crash survivors Gregg, Foulkes, Charlton and Dennis Viollet.

UNITED WOMEN ROUND-UP

MAINTAINING A WINNING HABIT

Marc Skinner’s Reds have been on top form in the opening two months of the year, with March set to be crucial in both league and FA Cup...

RISING IN THE LEAGUE

United Women are up to second in the Women’s Super League after a perfect start to 2025. The Reds have won all four matches in the competition since the turn of the year and appear to be growing in confidence and swagger with every outing. United got the ball rolling again after the month-long WSL hiatus with a brilliant derby victory over Manchester City at the Etihad (4-2) back in January and have maintained momentum since, by beating Brighton 3-0 and Crystal Palace 3-1 on home soil, either side of a narrow 1-0 victory at Tottenham. It means the Reds are seven points behind unbeaten leaders and reigning champions Chelsea, and three and five ahead of Arsenal and Man City, respectively, as the battle to be among the top trio that qualifies for the prestigious Champions League enters its final eight games this weekend.

CUP CAMPAIGNS CONTINUE

Skinner’s Reds have had a busy start to the calendar year, with fixtures in both domestic cup competitions accompanying those aforementioned league matches since our last United Review round-up. Having put seven goals past West Brom in the new-year opener, United continued a thus-far emphatic defence of the FA Cup by scoring six without reply away

Two-goal Elisabeth Terland celebrates with Anna Sandberg during the 3-1 home win over Palace last time out

to the Baggies’ West Midlands rivals Wolves in the fifth round earlier this month, setting up a quarter-final visit from Championship side Sunderland on Saturday 8 March. The Reds’ pursuit of silverware in the League Cup has come to an end for this campaign however, after a 2-1 reverse to Man City in January’s last-eight tie at Leigh Sports Village.

TROPHIES FOR TOONE

That League Cup loss to City is United’s only defeat in seven across all competitions so far this year – a run of form that midfielder Ella Toone has been fundamental to. The team’s all-time top appearance-maker and goalscorer netted five times in January – including a hat-

trick in the derby success at the Etihad – before her standout performances earned her a series of well-deserved monthly awards. Toone was named both the Barclays WSL and PFA Fans’ Player of the Month, while also scooping United Women’s own corresponding accolade, as well as the team’s Goal of the Month prize, for the first of her three strikes away to City.

MILESTONE MOMENTS

Only Toone has now played more times for United Women than centre-back Millie Turner, who moved up into outright second on the team’s all-time appearances list following this month’s win at Spurs. The Academy graduate tallied up her 163rd game for the Reds in the victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, moving her beyond former captain Katie Zelem on 162. Behind Zelem is winger Leah Galton, who became the fourth player to reach 150 matches for our women’s team the following weekend, after starting – and

scoring – in the 6-0 FA Cup triumph over Wolves, a game in which both Aoife Mannion and homegrown debutant Mared Griffiths netted their first goals for the senior side.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT... ELLA TOONE

The 25-year-old has responded to a personally challenging time in her life in typically inspirational fashion during recent months. In September, Ella suffered the devastating loss of her father, Nick, and was confronted with further adversity in November when she picked up the first major injury of her career. That calf problem brought a premature end to her 2024 on the pitch, but the heroic no.7 has looked back to her best since returning to action in United Women’s opening game of this year, something that the aforementioned awards and scoring feats – not to mention the beaming smile on her face – is glowing evidence of.

Teenage midfielder Griffiths had a memorable debut for the Reds after contributing two late goals to the 6-0 Cup defeat of Wolves following her 80th-minute introduction

Reds boss Skinner presents Galton with a momento of her milestone

BLUNDELL BEGINS LEAVE

Away from the action on the pitch, everyone at United is excited for defender Hannah Blundell, who has officially begun her period of maternity leave. The popular full-back announced her pregnancy back in September and has since received ongoing support from the club, as she prepares for an exciting new chapter in her life. Blundell had been training under expert supervision at Carrington – having not featured for the Reds this season – and the entire squad recently threw her a surprise baby shower as a

heart-warming send-off. Hannah had entered the final 12 months of her contract this term, but an option to extend her deal by a year was triggered and we’re all looking forward to seeing her back in action upon her return.

SIMPSON SIGNS NEW DEAL

Speaking of defenders, young full-back Jess Simpson has prolonged her stay with United, penning a new contract that will see her remain at the club until at least June 2027. The 20-year-old has been a Red since the age of 11 and, having progressed through our Academy ranks, made her first-team debut against Everton earlier this season. Simpson is currently on loan at Championship side Bristol City for the second half of the campaign, as she strives for further development before returning to Manchester in the summer.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Reds officially return from the February international break this Sunday (2 March) with a visit from Leicester City in the Women’s Super League. It’s a 12.30pm kick-off at Leigh Sports Village. After the FA Cup clash with Sunderland, it’s a first-ever game at Anfield on Friday 14 March, as Skinner’s side take on Liverpool in the WSL – to secure your tickets for both home and away fixtures, visit tickets.manutd.com.

The Reds got February under way by stepping out for a 1-0 victory at Spurs, and will carry their winning momentum into March after adding further wins in the league and cup

Blundell proudly shows off her bump at Carrington

FOCUS ACADEMY

FULL FOCUS ON FRIDAY

UR ’s extended Academy round-up begins with a look ahead to an exciting away-day under the lights in the Youth Cup this weekend...

Lead coach Adam Lawrence called it “the carrot” for his players to progress in the FA Youth Cup: the opportunity to play at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in a mouth-watering quarter-final.

This coming Friday, our talented Under-18s – reigning English champions – continue writing their own chapter in the wonderful tale of Manchester United in the Youth Cup. With three five-goal wins, confidence is high for our first trip to north London in this prestigious competition since a 2007 semi-final in which Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley were among those starring for the Reds.

“This is an amazing opportunity,” Nick Cox, Director of Academy, tells UR. “We’ve had regular opportunities in recent years to play at Old Trafford and it’s of great importance for our boys to become familiar with our own ground. Practising in an arena where you’ll play games if you reach our first team is within our control and we do that regularly.

“We don’t quite as frequently get the opportunity to play in Premier League stadiums away from home. We’ve had lovely experiences in the National League Cup and EFL Trophy, playing at first-team stadiums, and that’s great, but to play at another Premier League stadium is exciting and a development opportunity.

“It’s always important to play in a stadium where you’re the away team and the crowd are against you,” Cox continues. “While we have

great away followings, for your own support to be outnumbered by the home fans, and to play in arena you’re unfamiliar with, that brings some nerves. And naturally in terms of the actual match itself, we’re always keen to make sure our boys go up against the best players around and Arsenal have a wonderful youth system and develop great players so it’s great for our boys to have an opportunity to go up against a really

The 5-1 win over Chelsea last time out in the Youth Cup sets up Friday’s last-eight visit to the Emirates where our Academy staff hope to see another big step in the players’ development

good team. We also really like the jeopardy that the competitions we enter facilitate and the jeopardy of an away Youth Cup quarter-final is a really exciting one. We hope we’ll overcome that challenge, but ultimately, whatever way it goes, there’s an experience to be had that all these young players will add to their armoury, in terms of what they learn on the night and how they’ll use that in their careers moving forward.”

NEED TO KNOW...

All the key details ahead of the Reds’ Youth Cup quarter-final

THE STORY SO FAR

Third round, 18 December 2024 5-0 v COVENTRY CITY

Goals: Biancheri (3), Obi (2)

Seeking to right the wrong of both last season’s early exit and the previous week’s UEFA Youth League defeat, United wasted little time by scoring three goals in the opening 13 minutes. “It’s always nice to get a dominant performance in the first game,” reviewed lead coach Adam Lawrence. “The boys attacked them in a variety of ways. Once we got that lead, it was about the good habits, being professional in the right moments. We did that, killed the game off and were comfortable.”

Fourth round, 17 January 2025

5-2 v PRESTON NORTH END

Goals: J Fletcher, Munro, Obi (2), Ibragimov

Another fast start at Leigh Sports Village established a four-goal half-time lead against Preston, who had put four past Liverpool in the previous round. United overcame the visitors’ second-half resurgence to triumph. “The boys got into a rhythm well,” Lawrence said. “With a four-goal half-time lead you want to maintain that, but there’s some lessons for our lads because Preston did well. They tested us.”

Fifth round: 12 February 2025

5-1 v CHELSEA

Goals: Obi (3), Scanlon (2)

After going behind, United showed composure, grit, then real quality to establish a 3-1 half-time lead and prove themselves against the toughest opposition yet. James Scanlon scored two and Chido Obi bagged a hat-trick in an impressive, hard-working team display that left little doubt as to United’s potential for Youth Cup success. “A real team effort,” said Lawrence. “But also a really good night for the scorers. Chido is a natural goalscorer, but I was really pleased with his link-up play – not just stretching and running in behind but recognising when to show into feet, how to use his body to shield the ball and when to bring others into play. And it was nice for Scanners because he got the rewards for the runs he was making.”

ARSENAL’S JOURNEY to the

quarters

Friday’s opponents have enjoyed a rockier route to the quarter-final. Two goals from the prolific Dan Casey helped them survive a third-round scare against non-league Hertford Town. Andre Harriman-Annous scored one of the others in a 4-3 win and then netted in the subsequent 3-3 draw v QPR, in which 15-year-old Max Dowman

– who has made headlines for training with the first team – also netted. Arsenal won 4-3 on penalties, with key saves from Jack Porter, who made a senior debut in the Carabao Cup last autumn. Schoolboy Dowman netted again in round five in a calmer performance, with Harriman-Anous scoring in a third consecutive game in a 2-1 win. Arsenal are seven-time Youth Cup winners and most recently reached the final in 2023 when a Jack Wilsheremanaged side were beaten 5-1 by West Ham.

memories of 2007

A crowd of 38,187 watched our last FA Youth Cup game at the Emirates, in 2007. It was a meeting between two talented sides whose players were aiming to progress into their title-challenging – or title-winning, in United’s case – senior squads. And the Arsene WengerSir Alex Ferguson rivalry impacted this game, too. Ahead of the semi-final first leg, Sir Alex got stuck in, saying: “The young players at Arsenal get credit for being the best in the land but I believe they’re not as good as our young players.” In north London, Kieran Gibbs scored the game’s only goal to give Arsenal an advantage to take to Old Trafford where an epic followed. Danny Welbeck proved the hero in a 4-2 extra-time victory. Welbeck and team-mate Tom Cleverley later played 221 times for United between them. Welbeck, of course, remains a regular Premier League starter, at Brighton, while Cleverley is enjoying his first managerial job at Watford. Others in United’s squad that day include Ben Amos, James Chester, Craig Cathcart and Danny Drinkwater.

Jack Fletcher, scorer of our first in the 5-2 fourth-round win over Preston, charges forward as the Reds establish a four-goal half-time lead

Biancheri completes his hat-trick in the 5-0 defeat of Coventry

All set for the young Gunners 18 years ago

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MEET THE SQUAD

These are the young Reds who have been involved in United’s 2024/25 Youth Cup campaign so far...

GK Will Murdock (17) Northern Ireland youth international. Made a decisive save at 3-1 against Chelsea to maintain United’s momentum.

RB Jaydan Kamason (18)

The first professional graduate of the Academy’s ‘Emerging Talent Programme’ which supports the grassroots game. Now playing across the U18s and U21s. Two fantastic assists v Chelsea.

CB Reece Munro (18) right-sided defender with confidence to drive out from the back. Captained United in Devaney’s fourth-round absence and scored our second goal.

CB Dan Armer (17) Tall, ball-playing Scottish youth international who

arances at a young

Albert Mills (16)

First-year scholar with seven arances this season. A substitute in round three, he’ll turn 17 on quarter-final day.

Godwill Kukonki (17)

Regular in first-team training this ason. Physically developed with good passing range.

Harry Amass (17) Regular in senior matchday squads and went on pre-season tour. Impressive close ball control in an excellent first 18 months since signing from Watford.

CM Jacob Devaney (17) United’s captain v Coventry and initiated moves for the opening two goals. Returned from injury in round five with a tireless and dominant midfield performance.

CM Jack Fletcher (17) Outstanding in round four v Preston, scoring and setting up two. Son of graduate no.164 Darren, brother of Tyler. Involved in several senior matchday squads, including at Spurs this month.

CM Tyler Fletcher (17) Feels “back to being myself” after an injury last season. Now progressing well, with a highlight of four assists in a September victory over Blackburn. The only midfielder to start all three games so far.

Youth

CM Jim Thwaites (17) Smooth-moving midfielder who played above his age last season and scored some important goals. Penchant for a free-kick goal.

RW James Scanlon (18) One goal in 10 caps for Gibraltar’s senior side makes him the youngest-ever UEFA Nations League scorer. Lively winger who enjoys coming inside. Scored twice against Chelsea in round five.

Defender Munro has played every minute of our Youth Cup campaign and scored our second when captaining the Reds to a fourth-round win over Preston

Captaining the Reds in rounds three and five, Devaney is among our crop of talented central midfielders

Another

Cup ever-present this term, Tyler Fletcher is a Scottish youth international

Russia-born, England youth international

RW Victor Musa (18) Spanish-born forward who played an important role in last season’s U18 success with six goals. Started once, a second-half sub twice.

AM Jayce Fitzgerald (17) Technically gifted Salford-born midfielder who was an unused substitute for the seniors in November.

AM Zach Baumann (18) United’s first Ukrainian youth international. Tidy, long-limbed midfielder.

AM Amir Ibragimov (16) Gutsy attacking player born in Dagestan, Russia. Earned and scored a Panenka-style penalty against Preston. Thriving at both U18s and U21s level. One of only three 2008-born players to feature so far.

AM James Bailey (17) A stocky first-year forward who can offer threat in all areas of the pitch. A late sub against Preston.

ST Gabriele Biancheri (18) Welsh youth international in excellent pre-Christmas form with 16 goals in 17 games across U18s/U21s football, including a thirdround hat-trick. Injury disrupted that but he’s back and has been harshly denied a couple by the offside flag since returning. A natural striker playing at left-wing and learning plenty.

ST Chido Obi (17) Clinical finisher who joined from Arsenal last summer. Seven goals in three games, including a hat-trick v Chelsea. Debuted for the seniors at Spurs this month.

ST Louie Bradbury (16) Gaining his first experiences at this level as an U16. Scored his first U18 goal in a league win over Wolves recently. A late sub in round four.

WHAT THE REDS SAY...

The young players – and their lead coach – share their eagerness to end the 2024/25 campaign on a high note

Gabriele Biancheri: ↱

“It’s the Youth Cup, it’s the one that everyone looks forward to at the start of the season, wearing the blazer, going out there, you feel it when you touch the grass, and hopefully there are many more of these nights to come.”

Jim Thwaites: “What Kobbie and Garnacho did motivates us to go and do it. We want to achieve what they’ve done. There’s a desire and motivation to go and do what they’ve done.”

Dan Armer: “It’s been a very good season, to be fair. At this age, you get exposed to a lot of different things, which is good for your development. It allows you, like Kobbie, to be ready to step into the first team if needed. That’s from playing in front of crowds at this stage.”

Tyler Fletcher: “It’s a very prestigious tournament, it’s got loads of history. It’s something that Man United fans look towards and watch the Academy for. We just want to perform and do well in it, and hopefully win it.”

Adam Lawrence: ↱

“We need to keep everything in perspective and this can’t be the only benchmark for our players in their journeys, but the Youth Cup gives special memories and the club has so much history in the competition. It means a lot to the players and they’re well aware of the history. We’re Manchester United – in every competition we play in, we want to win every game and get into the latter stages of any tournament we play in.”

Midfielder Fitzgerald has been in Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad in both the league and Europe

Exciting striker Obi leads the Youth Cup goalscoring charts

Ibragimov wraps up the win at Preston with a coolly taken penalty kick

Story behind the shot

Club photographer Ash Donelon (above) captures the moment the Reds ease home tensions with the second-half leveller during our fourth-round Cup triumph...

THE COMEBACK BEGINS

Image taken: Friday 7 February, Old Trafford.

Ash says: “On a bitterly cold Friday night, we’d conceded in the first half and had spent most of the second in search of an equaliser. When Joshua Zirkzee prodded the ball home after Rasmus Hojlund’s blocked shot, there was a real sense of relief around the stadium, and this was evident in the players’ expressions. When a player scores a winning goal they often run towards a corner and I have to switch to a wide-angle lens to capture the moment, but equalisers are a more subdued affair, so I remained on a long telephoto lens to shoot this scene from across the pitch. I like the contrasting body language of the players in red versus those in blue, and the jubilant fans with arms raised in the background help to complete the picture.”

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

United’s seventh league title, won in 1966/67, was hugely celebrated at Old Trafford. But it was only the first step towards a greater goal: the European Cup.

In those days, only domestic champions could enter the competition now known as the Champions League. So it was an achievement just to qualify, let alone lift the trophy!

But the mission meant much more than that. Why? Because United and Matt Busby had lost eight players and three staff trying to conquer Europe back in 1958, due to the devastating Munich Air Disaster.

Privately, Busby described 1967/68 as “our last chance”. The great Scot had given more than 20 years of his life to United, experiencing highs and lows like no other manager.

“When we started out in the autumn of 1967, nothing was said about doing it for the lads who had died,” said goalkeeper Alex Stepney, “but we all knew, without words, that there was this

FRED ASKS... WHY WAS UNITED’S 1968

EUROPEAN CUP WIN SO SPECIAL?

extra dimension because the manager and two of his most trusted players – Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes – had survived the crash… To see the scars on his chest brought home to us the enormous trauma he had experienced at Munich.”

The campaign started seamlessly, with a 4-0 aggregate win over Maltese club Hibernians, but things quickly intensified. United scraped

DID YOU KNOW?

John Aston Jr (right), who played left wing against Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final, was arguably United’s outstanding player at Wembley. His father, John Aston Snr, also played for United, making 284 appearances and winning the First Division and FA Cup. After retiring, Aston Snr also coached and scouted for the club.

Busby’s United team wave to the

past Yugoslavian champions FK Sarajevo 2-1 at Old Trafford, but only after the Bosnian club had seen a contentious strike ruled out in the goalless first leg.

Gornik Zabrze of Poland were next, and a 2-0 win at Old Trafford set things up perfectly. But on an icy, snowy pitch in Upper Silesia, we lost 1-0 and snuck through by the skin of our teeth. The reward? A semi-final against six-times champions Real Madrid – who had thwarted the Babes at the same stage back in ’57.

A thunderous George Best left-footer earned us a slight advantage to take to the Bernabeu but, in Madrid, the hosts raced into a 3-1 lead by half-time. At the interval, Busby reminded the team that just one goal would level things on aggregate, but that was easier said than done in front of more than 100,000 buoyant Madridistas.

But two goals in the final 15 minutes dramatically swung the tie back into United’s

Bernabeu crowd then rise to the challenge as the Reds fight back from 3-1 down to overcome Real Madrid on aggregate for a place in the Wembley final

favour and, remarkably, the decider came from centre-back and Munich survivor Foulkes. Then 36, Bill rarely even entered the opposition half – he finished with just nine goals in 668 United games! But, for some reason, he decided to venture upfield at the Bernabeu that night and, when found by Best, he calmly prodded the ball home. An eerie twist of fate, or divine intervention?

Madrid were out, then. But United’s task in the final was no easier, because in our way stood Benfica, competing in their fifth final in eight seasons. The game was staged at Wembley, so United received huge backing from a crowd of 99,882, but the game was tense, with Best roughed up by endless fouls and Benfica’s star striker Eusebio shadowed by our terrier-in-chief, Nobby Stiles. Bobby Charlton gave the Reds (wearing blue on the night!) the advantage with a deft header. But, with less than 10 minutes remaining, Jamie Graca levelled.

Tired United bodies sprawled on the lush Wembley turf at full-time. But ahead of 30 extra minutes, Busby urged his players on: “You’ve won it once, go and win it again.” The response was emphatic: three goals in the first nine minutes of extra-time, thanks to Best, Brian Kidd (on his 19th birthday) and another from Charlton.

Left: Busby and his assistant Murphy rally the Reds as the European Cup final against Benfica heads for extra-time with the contest locked at 1-1

Below: United rejoice at finally conquering Europe with captain and Munich survivor Charlton lifting the famous trophy in front of the jubilant United fans at Wembley on 29 May 1968

At the final whistle United became the first English team to claim the European Cup, 10 long years on from the agony of Munich. The players headed straight for Busby, embracing him one by one, in recognition of his fantastic leadership and the emotional path he had been on since 1958. This was a story of glory and redemption that thrilled the whole country. But for Busby,

Charlton, Foulkes and assistant manager Jimmy Murphy, it was the realisation of a sacred, unspoken vow: they had done the Babes proud. Wembley 1968 completed our resurrection after Munich, but the story wasn’t over. And no-one could have guessed what the next chapter of our extraordinary history had in store...

GUESS THE RED

MEET THE MASCOTS

We hope you enjoy the experience of leading the Reds out this evening...

LEGENDS LIST

Put these Reds legends in order of how many goals they scored for United, starting with the most!

GUESS THE RED: 1.Patrick Dorgu; 2. Harry Maguire; 3. Noussair Mazraoui.

LEGENDS LIST: 1. Wayne Rooney (253); 2. Ruud van Nistelrooy (150); 3. Cristiano Ronaldo (145); 4. David Beckham (85); 5. Eric Cantona (82).

Edward

Harrison

HONING THEIR SKILLS

A pair of first-team Reds join participants from the Foundation for a fun session in the Skills Lab...

“Now hold on... you said go and we weren’t ready!” exclaims Joshua Zirkzee with a smile. It’s suddenly become very competitive at Manchester United Foundation’s Skills Lab, based inside the club’s Old Trafford museum, as two teams of Foundation participants –led by none other than Jonny Evans and the aforementioned Dutch forward – compete for supremacy in the Pass the Ball Challenge. In this challenge teams have to throw the ball to each person in the group, ensuring everyone touches it, but without passing to the person immediately to your left or right. The quickest to go round each individual wins. On this occasion, Foundation coaches accept Zirkzee’s protestations to allow a rematch, but his team prove no match for the group led by our legendary Northern Irish defender.

The activity forms part of the many different workshops and opportunities offered at the Skills Lab, which aims to provide unique and fun learning experiences focusing on areas such as unlocking potential, leadership and dealing with the big occasion.

In this very special session, Jonny and Joshua join in with a number of activities before chatting to the group about how to handle big moments and manage pressure. The group, all from Foundation partner high schools and preparing for their GCSEs, take great enjoyment in listening to the two Reds talk about the scrutiny that comes with playing for Manchester United, and how they deal with it.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with them,” Zirkzee enthuses. “They asked me some really great questions and I hope they’ve learnt something from me and Jonny. It’s really nice that the Foundation give them

a feeling that they are part of the club. There’s always pressure in life, and it’s never easy to deal with. I told them you need to have belief in yourself and get support from those around you.”

“I was gobsmacked when the players came in!” Alliyha, one of the participants in attendance, told us. “Josh and Jonny were both so down to earth and normal and it was amazing for them to join in with us and answer our questions. Both of them were very different, but both competitive. They both wanted to win!

“I loved the different activities that we did today,” she adds. “They were confidence-building and also really enjoyable to do – obviously having Jonny and Josh there made it extra special.”

While we can’t promise there will be members of our men’s first-team squad there when you visit, the Skills Lab is open to all groups and has worked with youngsters from around the world.

“The Skills Lab gives young people a completely different angle on learning key skills and developing as individuals,” says Skills Lab

“Believe in yourself” was Joshua’s key message to the group

manager Michael Brewster. “We work with groups from as close as Stretford, and as far away as Singapore. There is something for everyone!

“Today’s been fantastic,” he adds. “It’s been great to see students from our partner schools enjoy the activities we offer, and of course having the players here only goes to elevate the impact of what we’re doing. I’m sure the kids will have taken away a lot from today.”

Skills Lab sessions can be booked for travelling parties by e-mailing: education@mufoundation.org

Joshua and Jonny pose with the young participants, who all went home with a signed copy of UR!

MUNICH COMMEMORATIONS

Foundation participants paid respects to those lost in Munich, 67 years ago, by joining the annual remembrance service in Manchesterplatz.

For the third year in a row, a group of young people from the Foundation’s Street Reds project flew out to Bavaria, primarily to play their part in the commemorations, where participants read poems and laid a wreath in honour of those who lost their lives. This formed part of a wider four-day cultural

experience providing enrichment opportunities throughout the city, including a trip to Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich.

Keegan, who attends the Sir Bobby’s Street Reds session, said: “This trip has meant a lot to me, as my whole family are United fans. It’s good that we can all gather together to remember, understand the culture and understand what happened. I’m going to spread the word back in Manchester.”

CAUSE FOR INSPIRATION

United Women trio Maya Le Tissier, Ella Toone and Lisa Naalsund spent time with young people at Foundation partner school Manchester Enterprise Academy Central in Wythenshawe recently.

As part of the visit, the three Reds joined in with a girls’ football session on the school pitches, helping to inspire all those involved to pursue their love of the game.

One of those participants, Phallon, 14, said: “It’s been exciting, I’ve been playing football since I was six. I asked about advice for becoming a professional and they said it’s all about confidence, so I’m going to try to have more belief in myself and be more confident playing.”

Caoimhe added: “Today has made me more passionate about football because the players told us about their own experiences and how they had to be persistent. It will help me to keep going and to have my own hopes and dreams.”

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Members of the Foundation’s Street Reds project gather with United ambassador Andy Cole at Manchesterplatz for the annual Munich remembrance service

The visit from our women’s team gave youngsters at the Wythenshawe school added motivation

WHAT IS STYLE?

STATS AT THE BACK RETURNING REDS

Kieran McKenna is set to become the 17th ex-Red (as player, manager or coach) to return to M16 as an opposition boss in the Premier League – here’s United’s record against them...

RON ATKINSON

Played 3 Won 2 Drew 1 Lost 0

STEWART HOUSTON

MEULENSTEEN

P4

The first ex-Red opposition boss to face United at OT in the Premier League era – Crystal Palace losing 1-0 in 1992/93’s third game here.

GEORGE GRAHAM

Our former coach enjoys the best record of any ex-Red in OT’s opposition dugout, winning here twice with Middlesbrough.

Moyes has brought teams to M16 17 times in total, but only six of those have been since his stint as United manager in 2013/14.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE

All 20 teams are in action between Tuesday and Thursday this week – here we take a closer look at what’s at stake...

Heading into the midweek schedule, a dozen fixtures remained for the majority of England’s top flight, four of which took place last night: Brighton v Bournemouth, Crystal Palace v Aston Villa, Wolves v Fulham, and Chelsea v Southampton. Our meeting with Ipswich is one of four 7.30pm kick-offs this evening, including Brentford v Everton. The Bees had a big win at Leicester at the weekend, while David Moyes’s Toffees are in fine form – who’ll take the spoils here? There’s an equally intriguing clash at the same time, as high fliers Nottingham Forest (above left) and Arsenal meet at the City Ground, with tonight’s final 7.30pm game seeing Tottenham host Manchester City. Spurs (left) put four past City when the teams last met, and how they’d love to complete a league double against the Blues to lift them closer to the top half. And finally tonight, at 8.15pm, it’s Liverpool v Newcastle at Anfield, with West Ham v Leicester tomorrow (8pm).

2024/25 PREMIER LEAGUE F IXTURES

Read across for home games and down for away. Broadcast picks confirmed up to 16 March 2025.

Arsenal - 2-2 03/0512/04 1-1 16/0326/040-001/041-0

APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2024/25 SEASON

Manuel Ugarte’s equaliser at Everton last weekend was his first United goal – and what a way to get it! His stunning left-footed cracker gave us a share of the spoils at Goodison Park, and made him our 16th different scorer this season.

UNITED CAREER STATISTICS

Our first in last Saturday’s draw against Everton – the wonderfully struck free-kick from Bruno Fernandes – saw the skipper become the first United player to hit double figures for the season, also taking him to 89 goals for the Reds since his arrival in January 2020.

Since the last issue of United Review (for our FA Cup tie with Leicester City earlier this month) there have been two new player additions to the season and career stats tables on the left: defender Patrick Dorgu and centre-forward Chido Obi.

2024/25 FIXTURES

PL Wed 26 Ipswich Town (H) 7.30pm MARCH

FA Sun 2Fulham (H) (R5) 4.30pm UEL Thu 6Real Sociedad

UEL

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police have very detailed emergency procedures and contingency plans in place to deal with any emergency scenario which might arise at the stadium. Part of these procedures can involve evacuation plans should such an eventuality be required. We strongly advise that should any unforeseen emergency incident develop then please remain in your position and listen carefully to any public address announcements or directions from the attendant stewards. Loudspeakers are located in the stands, concourse areas, hospitality areas, toilets and outside the stadium. Depending on the nature of the incident, whole stands, part stands or even the entire stadium may be evacuated. There is also an option to evacuate spectators on to the pitch. Our public address system operates on a stadium zone-by-zone basis. It may be that certain zones are affected by an incident but not others. In such an event our main attention will be focused on the zone concerned. If you hear an announcement in an area other than your own, you should ignore it and respond only to messages directed towards your section or by stewards. All spectators are asked to respond calmly and as quickly as possible to emergency directions.

MATCHDAY TEXT SERVICE

Help tackle discriminatory or offensive behaviour inside Old Trafford by texting HELP to 84222* followed by the STAND, ROW and SEAT of the offender and then the nature of the problem. Allow us to do the rest. *Texts are charged at the standard network rate.

A-Z quiz

Up and at ’em for another alphabetical quiz, here we focus on the letter ‘U’ – it could be the first letter of the answer, or maybe not, but a ‘U’ word will be in there somewhere...

Former United defender Ian Ure won 12 international caps for which country – Republic of Ireland, Wales or Scotland?

3.

Who is, so far, the only player with a ‘U’ surname to have scored in the Premier League for United – doing so via an own goal while playing for Everton in 1996? 2. 1. 4. 5. 10. 8. 9. 7. 6.

Name the last Ukrainian side to face the Reds in a competitive fixture (Hint: they’d be last on our all-time opponents list, alphabetically).

Who is United’s record scorer in UEFA competitions, having scored 39 combined goals across the Champions League and Europa League?

Which Uruguayan player scored more goals for the Reds – Diego Forlan or Edinson Cavani?

The Reds faced Atletico Madrid and Leeds United in friendlies in 2022 and 2023, respectively, at the Ullevaal Stadion – which is in which country?

Which player has made the most appearances for the Reds among those born outside of the United Kingdom, with 545?

Manuel Ugarte came on for his debut in September at Southampton, shortly before which player netted the Reds’ final goal in a 3-0 win?

Which Spanish team did United play in the USA during last summer’s pre-season tour – Real Betis or Real Sociedad?

In our history, we’ve played 16 other teams called ‘United’. Which of those clubs have we beaten most?

4. Wayne Rooney; 5. Edinson Cavani (19-17); 6. Norway;

Answers

1. Scotland; 2. David Unsworth; 3. Zorya Luhansk;

7. David De Gea; 8. Real Betis; 9. Alejandro Garnacho; 10. Newcastle United (92).

MANCHESTER UNITED

24/25 HOME JERSEY

SEASON 2024/25

Altay BAYINDIR

Victor LINDELOF

Noussair Mazraoui

Matthijs de Ligt

Harry MAGUIRE

Lisandro MARTINEZ

Mason MOUNT

Bruno FERNANDES

Rasmus HOJLUND

Joshua Zirkzee

Patrick Dorgu

Christian ERIKSEN

Leny Yoro AMAD

Alejandro GARNACHO

CASEMIRO

Diogo DALOT

Tom HEATON

Luke SHAW

Andre ONANA

Manuel Ugarte

Ayden Heaven

Jonny EVANS

Kobbie MAINOO

Harry Amass

Sekou Kone

Toby Collyer

Elyh Harrison

Tyler fredricson

Chido Obi

jack fletcher

Jack Moorhouse

Godwill Kukonki

MATCH OFFICIALS

Arijanet Muric

Leif Davis

Sam Morsy

Luke Woolfenden

Wes Burns

Kalvin Phillips

Julio Enciso

Conor Chaplin

Jens Cajuste

Cieran Slicker

Jack Taylor

Cameron Burgess

Ben Johnson

Liam Delap

Omari Hutchinson

Chiedozie Ogbene

Conor Townsend

Sam Szmodics

Jacob Greaves

Massimo Luongo

Dara O’Shea

George Hirst

Christian Walton

Jaden Philogene

Alex Palmer

Nathan Broadhead

Axel Tuanzebe

Ben Godfrey

Jack Clarke