Man Utd - Transfer news, results, fixtures, video and audio (2025)

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes says Erik ten Hag "is doing a brilliant job" at managing the "immense pressure" that comes with the role at Old Trafford.

Reflecting on his time at the club and the expectation that comes from sitting in the dugout, Moyes told BBC Sport: "I've been there and I know that it is an unbelievable club with a lot of pressure. Everybody wants to talk about it.

"For me, it's the biggest club in the world, which is talked about whatever city you go into. So, it comes with the territory and Manchester United want to win. Supporters want to win. And every manager who goes into the job wants to win as well.

"It's really difficult, but when you go into a job like that, it's always going to be like that.

"Manchester United is a brilliant, brilliant club supported all over the world. Because of that, there's always the chance that if you don't do well, you're going to come in for some criticism.

"I can't speak for Erik ten Hag. I think he has showed brilliant resilience in the situation he is in. He should be credited for how well he has conducted himself. I don't see him ducking any questions or any media interviews, so I think you have to give him great credit for that.

"But it's a job which is going to attract immense pressure and have an immense amount of people talking.

"I think he is doing a brilliant job."

BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater believes there is only one manager the board should be having a "serious conversation" with if they are to sack Erik ten Hag.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast, Drinkwater discussed his ideas for and against keeping Ten Hag at the helm.

"I'm in two minds about it and I don't know where I sit with it," he said.

"Ten Hag has won two trophies at Manchester United and we've had some really good periods under him. Does that warrant him enough time this season to keep the job until it is unfeasible that we aren't going to reach our goals as in win the Europa League - or do well in the Europa League - and finish top four? That is still very, very possible.

"If United go out and win the next five then we are back in it - we are back in the top-four race and we are back competing in the Europa League.

"Or, on the other hand, another manager comes in now with fresh ideas and he has more chance of getting us Champions League football or winning us the Europa League.

"If Thomas Tuchel is available, we need to have a serious conversation."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

A VAR related question was put to chief football writer Phil McNulty on Monday's Q&A.

@nubiblue on 'X' asked: Is the new improved VAR working? To me it continues to favour certain clubs.

Phil answered: First of all, I don't believe VAR favours certain clubs and quite honestly, I've not noticed too much difference or huge improvement.

Maybe a little less interference but I confess I lost a lot of faith in VAR after initially being a strong advocate.

I would be happy with semi-automated offside and line technology.

The future of Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will be decided at a club meeting on Tuesday, with his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy favoured to become caretaker manager if a change is made. (Guardian), external

United are lining up former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel as a potential replacement for Ten Hag. (Manchester Evening News), external

But the Dutchman believes he retains the faith of Old Trafford bosses heading into the international break. (ESPN), external

Want more news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Alex Turk
Fan writer

That feeling is in the air again, isn't it, Manchester United fans?

It exuded its unwelcome stench under David Moyes after that 2-0 defeat at Everton in 2014. There was even a sense of inevitability after Louis van Gaal lifted the FA Cup two years later.

You could see Jose Mourinho's 2018 sacking from pre-season, and the writing was on the wall for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021 after 5-0 and 2-0 home defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City, respectively.

Fast forward three years, and it feels like United are in an even bigger mess.

Erik ten Hag's side haven't won a football match since 17 September. In fact, they've only recorded three victories in 11 outings all season - against Fulham, Southampton and Barnsley.

Amid a five-game winless run, a change in the tides has, regrettably, occurred in my defiant, hopeful backing of the Dutchman.

The opportunity to build on two major trophies in as many years received a thumbs up from me. Perhaps I was still riding the euphoria of FA Cup glory - a lifelong memory at Wembley.

But United? Worsening. All optimism? Evaporated. The 20-time English champions are 14th after seven games, winning just twice and only scoring five goals.

Three of those strikes came at Southampton, the only team to have scored fewer than United. That trip to St. Mary's also conjured three of the Red Devils' eight points - a new low at this stage.

As mentioned, the writing was on the wall for Solskjaer three years ago, but he was allowed to stay put during the November international break. United then fell 4-1 at Watford - his swan song.

Ineos can't afford to delay the inevitable this week while the club drifts further into the void. One more ruthless decision is required.

Find more from Alex Turk at Stretford Paddock, external

The latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast has landed on BBC Sounds.

Gaz and Joe are joined by fan Kim Burdett to unpick the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa and debate whether Erik ten Hag will still be the United manager after the October international break.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has admitted speculation surrounding the future or manager Erik ten Hag "does affect the players".

Sunday's 0-0 draw at Aston Villa was needed for under-pressure Ten Hag after last weekend's 3-0 home humiliation to Tottenham but meant the Red Devils go into the November international break without a win in five matches.

"As a player you know what you've got to do," Evans said post-match. "We've all been playing football for a long time.

"For us it's about not giving in, sticking together. My experience is that you always show that on the pitch and it was pleasing we did that today."

United player's togetherness was visible at Villa Park, with the tone set by a pre-match huddle.

"I don't know who organised that," Evans added. "It wasn't planned so I'm guessing it was Bruno [Fernandes].

"I'm sure for Bruno, if he organised it, it was a way to get a message across before we went on the pitch.

"I've been involved in huddles in the past and it's a way to come together before you go out and play."

Despite an excellent defensive display, only Southampton have scored less than United's four league goals so far this season. However, Evans believes this clean sheet gives a foundation to build upon.

"We put a lot into our defending [against Villa]," Evans added

"We saw our two forwards working back and helping the team, in order to get that clean sheet you're going to maybe sacrifice a bit. For us it's finding that balance.

"The confidence we get from that clean sheet hopefully in turn that can give us the belief when we're going forward.

"Sometimes you have to do that, grind it out, go back to basics and we did that today."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Manchester United co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer were videoed arriving at Old Trafford earlier by an eagle-eyed supporter.

Club sources say the meetings were pre-planned, with Glazer meeting the Fans' Advisory Board.

This may well be true but, any time the owners are together, they must surely talk about how the team is doing.

There have been reports on social media that former Manchester United captain Gary Neville also turned up.

If that is correct, it would lend itself to the view that stadium issues were being discussed.

Fans had until nearly midnight last night to respond to a club survey about what they wanted from a stadium in terms of a matchday experience.

A Manchester United-related question was put to chief football writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.

Simon asked: Given the lack of identity and, more importantly, the inability to score goals, do you think Erik ten Hag will survive the international break or have we seen him manage Manchester United for the last time?

Phil answered: This is the big question. I honestly think if he had lost one of the games at Porto in the Europa League on Thursday or at Aston Villa on Sunday then he would have been in huge trouble.

Two draws may just save him, although that remains to be seen. If he survives, I do feel it is only putting off the inevitable, though - unless there is a swift and dramatic improvement after the international break.

On your point of lack of identity, I totally agree and this is one of the big problems.

We have seen two managers in Arne Slot at Liverpool and Enzo Maresca at Chelsea barely have their feet under the table and yet you can see their identity.

Slot has taken the best of what Jurgen Klopp left him and added a more measured, controlled style, while Maresca’s passing style is self-evident.

What is Ten Hag's preferred style? What is his obvious strategy? I genuinely don't know and this is his third season at Old Trafford.

Read more of the Q&A with Phil and the rest of the day's football news

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel believes Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans remain the team's best centre-back pairing.

"He started Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans and I've said this for a long, long time - they are the best two centre-backs that we've got," former goalkeeper Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Breakfast Club.

"For some reason, Maguire has upset the world. I don't get that.

"The only reason I believe Evans isn't playing every game is that he picks up injuries. There is no issue in terms of his consistency. He was absolutely outstanding."

Erik ten Hag made four changes to United's starting XI for the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa and Schmeichel added that the constant rotation "doesn't make a lot of sense".

"Last season there were so many injuries, so it was difficult for him to play a consistent 11. But now he's got all players fit and he still makes those changes."

Former England full-back Stephen Warnock says Manchester United defender Jonny Evans used "every ounce of his experience" when marking striker Ollie Watkins in the goalless draw with Aston Villa.

"Before the game, it was a surprise that he was coming in," Warnock said on Match of the Day 2. "He has used every ounce of his experience here. He will have watched Ollie Watkins play in midweek against Bayern Munich and realised that he wants to feel players and get tight to them.

"So Evans just dropped off and he didn't let Watkins feel him. Evans never ever let Watkins get beyond him or alongside him.

"His challenges were always well timed. He was always on the front foot and ready to step into a position. He is then ready for the next passage of play. He wants to force the ball to go wide because he knows that can be defended well.

"His position was high in possession but as soon as the possession got turned over, he had a quick look over his shoulder and he knew exactly where Watkins was, so he could just drop back again.

"He wanted to get beyond his man to make sure that he was in a situation where Watkins couldn't run or dart in behind him.

"An outstanding performance from someone who isn't getting much game time at the moment."

Catch up on Match of the Day 2 on BBC iPlayer

Manchester United fan Kim Burdett believes the two recent draws against Porto and Aston Villa have made little to no difference to the atmosphere surrounding the club.

"I feel like we're no further on," Burdett told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "I don't feel as though two draws have made any difference either way.

"The draw against Porto was a bit like a defeat but the injury-time equaliser lifted us up again. It's a very confusing time being a United fan."

Sunday's 0-0 draw at Villa marked the third game in a row that United have fired a blank in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag's side have only found the net five times across seven games - three of which came against struggling Southampton.

Burdett added that the lack of goals has now become "very concerning".

"What we did probably need [in the summer] was a more experienced, guaranteed-20-goal-a-season striker to come in, which is probably what we all expected," she said.

"Zirkzee started well and scored in the first league game of the season at Old Trafford, but since then hasn't really impressed and doesn't seem to be what we need up front.

"The lack of goals is very, very concerning. We had this problem last season - and, if anything, it seems to have got worse this season."

Are Aston Villa showing Manchester United how it is done by having a manager that is actively working to improve his side in all competitions?

Unai Emery's tenure at Villa Park has seen them go from a bottom-half Premier League side to making club history in the Champions League this season, yet United under Erik ten Hag "look to be going backwards rather than forwards".

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, former England goalkeeper David James said: "If I was a United fan then I think one of my biggest frustrations would be listening to the same lines from the manager after every game. It is always, 'we should be better, we are getting better, we will be better and it is all about trophies'.

"They should be challenging for the Premier League and not just doing well in cup competitions. It is not good enough."

Ex-Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker added: "Aston Villa are a great marker to show how much Manchester United have fallen. They are competing in the Champions League, had a historic win against Bayern Munich just a few days ago, and were not even going full throttle against United. Yet United struggled to create opportunities and beat them.

"Villa have spent money but a lot of the players have just improved under Unai Emery. When you compare it to what United have spent, it looks like they are going backwards rather than forwards.

"The success at Villa is an example of what happens when you have a manager with a style and structure in place, with football people around him who support him to make the right decisions."

Listen to the full discussion on the Football Daily podcast

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Manchester United

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Ron: Both teams were tired. United defence played above their usual ineptitude. The quality of play was poor throughout, but Barkley was composed and Evans was worth MOTM. Rashford should have been sent off. That's two poor Premier League performances on the bounce. Is being in Europe too much for the squad? So happy to have Emery as manager. He'll sort matters.

John: Being disappointed with a 0-0 draw against United, a bogey team for us, shows what Emery and the players have achieved.

Chrissy: Three points lost. Disjointed performance all round. Missing some sparkle in midfield. Others not stepping up when given the chance. Hurry up Kamara and hopefully Konsa injury not too bad. Emery will sort it out, I’m sure.

Jonny: We gave the ball away way too easily in their final third. Rogers' worst game so far unfortunately, as he can be so good. Big comedown after beating Bayern Munich. Too many injuries already, but it's nice to see Cash back.

United fans

Henry; I’m sorry but a draw is not enough. We need to be turning performances into points. We’re going in the right direction, we just need a consistent winning streak now, which starts against Brentford. Onana and Evans were outstanding. Great defensive display. Forget the fact that we're 14th and carry on.

Margaret: The excuse is always that Ten Hag needs more time, but I am sure his time is about up. That excuse is wearing a bit thin. Very disappointed again.

Kev: A 36 -year-old Evans is our best performer and ETH is still wasting minutes on Rashford and Fernandes, who are just not at it at all. He is rotating to the point players have no chance of creating a partnership, let alone a team. But we didn't lose so what do I know?

Ian: Ten Hag went with his most experienced defence and trusted in them to hold out. Still no goal threat - we do not look like scoring. He has no charisma and his teams play like his personality - very dull and uninspiring.

Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Manchester United's goalless draw at Aston Villa on Sunday "was a difficult game for both teams" after playing in Europe in midweek.

"Both teams were over-tactical in their approach but I was a bit more disappointed in Villa," Reo-Coker told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Both were scared to press and both sides sat deep.

"The basic minimum of passing, from two sides of that quality, was not there and I was just hoping for a Jhon Duran moment of quality off the bench. But that never happened.

"Both sides will be disappointed, but Villa will just be happy they didn't lose. It's another point and they are still up there high in the Premier League.

"United can take a lot of confidence from the draw but there are still a lot of unanswered questions around the players and Erik ten Hag."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's three Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Manchester City 3-2 Fulham

• Everton 0-0 Newcastle United

• Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

• Brighton 3-2 Tottenham

Former Barcelona manager Xavi ​​is seen as the ideal choice to lead a reconstruction project at Manchester United, should Erik ten Hag leave. (El Nacional - in Spanish), external

Want more news? Read Monday's full gossip column