Who is Man Utd's vice-captain?published at 15:26 BST 10 July
15:26 BST 10 July
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
The vice-captain role at Manchester United has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Man Utd' form recently.
This is a fascinating one, partly because Bruno Fernandes misses so few games, and rarely gets substituted.
When he was out for three matches after getting injured at Aston Villa last December, Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez got the job – but there has clearly been a change of manager since then.
Harry Maguire was given the armband for the brief amount of time Fernandes was off the field when he was replaced by Leny Yoro in stoppage time during the 3-2 win over Liverpool in May.
Appointing Maguire as vice-captain would be particularly significant given Erik ten Hag took the job off him to give it to Fernandes.
And the mere fact he took the armband against Liverpool was also notable because he had turned down the opportunity on other occasions.
Of the remainder of the squad, Matthijs de Ligt was captain of Ajax as a teenager, the club's youngest ever skipper, and Diogo Dalot took the armband when Fernandes went off at Villa Park.
Michael Carrick has not made his opinions known on the matter – but with Martinez and Dalot missing due to World Cup duties, as is Fernandes, and De Ligt currently sidelined through injury, Maguire seems the obvious choice as captain for the first few pre-season games.
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Penalty save or Liverpool away? Your favourite Van der Sar momentspublished at 15:26 BST 10 July
15:26 BST 10 July
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar desribed his time at Old Trafford as "incredible" on The Wayne Rooney Show - and we asked you what your fondest memories of the shot stopper were.
Here are some of your comments:
Mark: Obviously the 2008 Champions League penalty shootout was the pinnacle, but also the 1311 minutes without conceding a Premier League goal record still stands today, now that's something to be really proud of.
Andrew: I loved Edwin Van der Sar. For me, the best keeper Man Utd ever had! Why? Because he was ultra reliable, never angry or impulsive - an absolute professional! He marked the second period of dominance for the club after the loss of Peter Schmeichel. If United had managed to sign him instead of Barthez or the other calamities of of the day who knows how many more Premier League titles they would have won.
Mark: It's a cliché but the favourite moment has to be his penalty save from Anelka as it won our last Champions League. His performance at Anfield in the John O'Shea smash and grab in 2007 also helped United win the league that season. It is a close second.
What do Greater Manchester's Mayoral candidates think about stadium plans?published at 12:04 BST 10 July
12:04 BST 10 July
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The grand masterplan for the Trafford Wharfside area was unveiled at Old Trafford yesterday.
At its heart is a new stadium for Manchester United, with the project itself predicated to create 15,000 new homes and 48,000 new jobs.
Afterwards I asked Trafford Council leader Tom Ross, of the Labour Party, if there was any danger to the entire project due to Andy Burnham – who was a vocal supporter – stepping down as Greater Manchester Mayor, triggering an election on 30 July.
He said: "If there were a different mayor, we would be fine here because the mayoral development corporation is something that Trafford Council oversees and are very much the driving force of. The new mayor will be able to sit in the meetings but not be part of the development corporation itself."
I messaged all the Mayoral candidates to gauge their thoughts.
Phil Eckersley (Conservative): "In principle, I am supportive of regeneration around Old Trafford. If handled properly the wider project could bring real benefits in terms of jobs, investment, transport improvements, public realm and local economic growth. However, I would be very clear that Greater Manchester taxpayers should not be overburdened by this project. My approach would always be to look carefully at cost vs value. I would also want affordable housing to be a serious consideration as part of the wider regeneration. Major schemes of this scale must deliver for local people, not simply create a bigger stadium or a more attractive visitor destination."
Marcus Farmer (Independent): "Like all these things in 20 years it will have created thousands of jobs and brought much needed revenue into the city. An extra 30,000 people in Manchester every match day not to mention all the spin offs such as concerts brings people into the city spending. Small businesses are knackered at the moment so the more support they get from a project like this the better. World class facilities show aspiration and put Manchester on the world map. Currently The Man Utd ground is an embarrassment to the Premier League and the city."
Richard Kilpatrick (Liberal Democrats): "The Old Trafford redevelopment is a significant investment, and it is only right that the decision is scrutinised closely. All football fans can agree that Old Trafford has suffered from under investment for decades and Manchester United needs a home worthy of its stature in English and world football. But if we are to accept large public sector investment in projects like this, it is only right that it also provides much needed infrastructure that local residents need like a GP surgery, highway improvements, public transport improvements and more."
Reform UK, The Green Party and Restore Britain did not reply.
Forest's Williams eyed by Premier League clubspublished at 12:03 BST 10 July
12:03 BST 10 July
Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, with Newcastle among the teams interested in the Wales international.
Williams is currently in talks over a new deal with Forest - but a number of top-flight rivals are keen on the 25-year-old.
It is understood Newcastle and Manchester United are among the clubs to have registered an interest in Williams while talks over a new contract continue.
Forest remain confident of securing a new deal but the interest in the full-back does create a potential obstacle to a successful conclusion of talks.
Williams still has three years to run on his current deal but Forest want to reward him for his impressive displays last season with an improved contract.
Williams joined Forest in July 2022 for a fee of £12m and has since gone on to make over 150 appearances for the club.
Will your club sign any World Cup breakout stars?published at 12:00 BST 10 July
12:00 BST 10 July
Image source, Getty Images
Plenty of players have made names for themselves at this World Cup, from goalkeepers like Cape Verde's Vozinha and Paraguay's Orlando Gill to New Zealand midfielder Elijah Just.
But though they might not have been familiar to fans, the extent of modern scouting means clubs all over the world will already have known about many of them – so how have their heroics at the tournament affected their standing in the game, and their value in the transfer market?
More than the Score's Mani Djazmi is joined Ben Littlemore from Transfermarkt, one of the world's foremost football databases. Lutz Pfannenstiel, sporting director at Aberdeen, also shares his footballing knowledge in today's episode.
'An incredible period in my life' - what are your best Van der Sar memories?published at 08:21 BST 10 July
08:21 BST 10 July
Image source, Getty Images
"An incredible period in my life to play for a club like that."
That is how Edwin van der Sar describes the six years he spent at Manchester United between 2005 and 2011.
He may have only arrived aged 34, but the legendary former Netherlands goalkeeper won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, and two League Cups during his time in England to add an incredible array of silverware in the twilight of his stellar career
Speaking on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sounds, Van der Sar reminisced on the time they spent together at Old Trafford.
"I came at the later stage of my career," he said.
"I was 34 and I was able to play there for six years.
"When I came in, what the manager asked you to have is authority. When building up from behind, making sure that there's authority in the back four.
"I think Rio [Ferdinand] was still developing towards a world class defender. We had still some other players before. [Nemanja] Vitis came in, Patrice [Evra] came a little bit later.
"I think the way Ferguson built up the puzzle towards a Champions League winning team, a Premier League winning team again - they added three or four pieces and that's gelled together.
"I think the quality combined with the youth and the energy that the younger players gave, looking at Wayne and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, made it an incredible period in my life to play for a club like that."
Gossip: Man Utd prepare to make Kone movepublished at 07:54 BST 10 July
07:54 BST 10 July
Manchester United are preparing to make a move for France midfielder Manu Kone, who is keen to test himself in the Premier League, plus Juventus would be willing to sell the 25-year-old for the right price. (Teamtalk, external)
Barcelona have opened talks with Borussia Dortmund over the signing of Germany winger Karim Adeyemi, 24, raising further questions about Marcus Rashford's chances of returning to the Nou Camp following his loan. (Sky Germany, external)
Meanwhile United target Aurelien Tchouameni has committed his future to Real Madrid, with the 26-year-old France midfielder set to extend his contract for five years. Madrid refused to entertain United's approaches. (AS - in Spanish, external)
Man Utd's pre-season returnpublished at 17:18 BST 9 July
17:18 BST 9 July
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Scorching temperatures and bright sunshine were the order of the day as Manchester United's senior players returned for the start of pre-season training.
None of United's World Cup contingent were involved, including Tyler Fletcher, who earned a surprise call-up to the Scotland squad after making his international debut against Bolivia in a pre-tournament friendly but didn't play a minute in the tournament itself.
However, nine experienced players were pictured at Carrington, including forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, plus Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, who all missed out on England selection.
Midfielder Toby Collyer and full-back Harry Amass, who both spent last season out on loan, were pictured, plus 19-year-old Shea Lacey, who is set to be part of Michael Carrick's first-team squad this season.
Dale: My concern is that if he is any good, why would Chelsea sell him - and, secondly, sell him to a rival?
Fred: Not what anyone was calling for. He is a player supposedly with Premier League experience, but he has clearly had very little of it. I hope we don't leave our midfield overhaul at this and sign a world-class one to bolster the starting XI.
Mark: It could be the unexpected signing that works. Not the sexy name or player who yourselves and other media outlets had been briefed on, and Chelsea have made a profit. Not seen much of him as I rarely watch other Premier League teams unless they play United. Unfortunately, he was sacrificed at Old Trafford last season after the Roberto Sanchez sending-off and got injured in first 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge. Therefore, I can't judge him till he has played several games in a United shirt.
Mike: Santos is a sensible move for the longer term and financially. He is still young enough to show a lot of development potential, which will add financial value to a future sale. I know a lot of fans are wanting a proven big name, which comes at a higher price and higher wages... I feel this move makes more sense.
Matt: Two very underwhelming signings to replace Casemiro so far. We need a midfielder with more experience and know-how rather than unproven players with 'potential'.
Arif: I am cautiously optimistic. He is a player with bags of potential, but will probably need someone more established to dampen the expectation on him that might ruin his fledgling career. I would still like us to sign a more established one, with preferably huge Premier League experience. Could be Tomas Soucek.
The Brazilian who ticks a lot of boxespublished at 10:41 BST 9 July
10:41 BST 9 July
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United officials reacted to missing out on Mateus Fernandes last week with a sense of calm, insisting players would be bought and expressing their faith in a recruitment team that delivered for them last summer.
Fans have been getting more edgy, though.
Andrey Santos wasn't a name many were talking about as they focused on Aurelien Tchouameni, currently part of France's World Cup squad, and others.
However, he ticks a lot of boxes that are important to United.
Twenty-eight Premier League appearances - including one during a loan spell at Nottingham Forest - means he knows the league. At 22, there is clear room for development and Santos should bring the energy United's midfield lacked during Casemiro's final few seasons.
Had he gone elsewhere in the summer and done well, his transfer value would have shot up.
The concern for some supporters will be that Chelsea were happy to sell before a campaign when they have no Europe and new boss Xabi Alonso is shaping a new midfield around Moises Caicedo - and possibly Enzo Fernandez.
The big question is: what happens now? With Ederson and Santos deals agreed, United have gone some way to addressing their midfield issues.
But is there one more new face to come? And if so, who will it be?
Is Santos the right signing?published at 18:20 BST 8 July
18:20 BST 8 July
Manchester United are closing in on a deal for 22-year-old Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos. Is this wise move and will the Brazilian improve Michael Carrick's midfield?
Man Utd to sign Chelsea's Santospublished at 18:17 BST 8 July
18:17 BST 8 July
Manchester United have agreed a £50m deal with Chelsea for their Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos.
The deal has progressed quickly in the past few hours after United made their initial interest known over the weekend.
United will pay an initial £48m for Santos, with an additional £2m in what are described as 'achievable' add-ons. Chelsea have also negotiated a 10% sell-on clause.
Santos has been cleared for a medical, with fellow countryman Ederson also scheduled to have one before completing his £35m move from Italian side Atalanta following Brazil's elimination from the World Cup.
The news comes as United's senior players prepare to return for pre-season training on Thursday and goes part way to addressing what was becoming a major issue.
United prioritised central midfield this summer following the exit of Casemiro when the veteran former Real Madrid man's contract came to an end. Manuel Ugarte was set to be sold but the Uruguay international has been ruled out for an extended period with cruciate knee ligament damage.
