Closing in on record

Shaw has played an instrumental role in the success that United have enjoyed since Michael Carrick was named interim head coach at the start of the year.

He has started every game under Carrick, proving to be a reliable presence at his natural left-back position.

The Peoples Person highlighted that Shaw is closing in on an impressive personal milestone. He is just three games away from starting every Premier League game in a single campaign, for the first time in his career.

So far this season, Shaw has played 35 games and logged a total of 2,971 minutes. But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Shaw at United.

Having endured a near career-ending leg break in 2015, he displayed remarkable determination to return from it. Since then, his Old Trafford tenure has been disrupted by injuries, causing him to miss large chunks of games while recovering.

For instance, last term, Shaw managed just 348 minutes of top-flight action. He spoke to club media and detailed why last season was the most challenging period of his career yet.

Shaw’s revelation

The 30-year-old said about injuries, “Honestly, it’s so tough. I think people just think, ‘Oh, he’s injured, he’s not bothered. He doesn’t care, he’s injured again’. But it’s not like that.”

“Last year I think was probably my toughest year. Obviously I broke my leg [in 2015] – that was completely different. But last year I just kept picking up injuries, and I just didn’t understand what was going wrong.”

“It was so hard, like, emotionally, everything. It was so tough.”

He continued, “I remember not knowing what to do. You feel like you’re letting people down. You feel like you’re letting your team down, the fans down.”

“Thankfully, this season, I feel like I’ve come on a better side with injuries. That was one of the most important things for me at the start of the season, was just making sure I was fit for the whole season.”

“It was a real tough period, but you just live and you learn. That also built me up even more, and made me more resilient. I learned a lot from it, and I’m in a much better place mentally for it now.”

Shaw insisted that he will use the lessons from that experience to help the next generation of players.

“I feel like that’s now kind of my job. You have young lads now coming in, loads of them that have so much potential coming to this club. [It’s the] biggest pressure there is in football, I think. And it’s about how you learn and, and you live with it.”

“For me, I’m grateful that I’ve been here for so long and I’ve had all them experiences, and I know how to deal with it and how to live with it. So I feel like – of course still playing – but also my job now is to give advice, and to help these young lads grow in experiences and understand the club and so they can really live it and, and enjoy it.”

Shaw and his teammates are next in action on Saturday when they go away to Sunderland.

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Midfield is the obvious priority, while the Red Devils would also prefer to strengthen at the back.

And despite Matheus Cunha‘s rise and plans of playing Patrick Dorgu further up front, INEOS would like to reinforce out wide on the left as well.

Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig is one of the targets, as is Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. Interestingly, The Manchester Evening News have claimed the Englishman is of added significance due to another reason.

Bruno Fernandes needs to be replaced

Where would the 20-time English league champions be without Bruno Fernandes? That is the question the co-owners want to solve before it is too late.

The club skipper had come dangerously close to leaving last year, but as things stand, he is open to staying put this time around with INEOS even reportedly planning a contract extension.

However, the Portuguese superstar is not going to be here forever and United are keen to get the right succession plan in place. And Morgan Rogers fits the bill.

Interestingly, Michael Carrick is a fan of the England international, having worked together at Middlesbrough, and he is keen to reunite with the versatile attacker.

Morgan Rogers identified as the perfect fit

For now, should United sign the 23-year-old, he would most likely fill in out wide, before playing centrally once the Portuguese superstar decides to depart.

“The Portuguese playmaker also turns 32 in September, and although he is in the form of his life at the moment, there is no certainty that it will be sustained for years to come, especially with the schedule set to become more demanding now that United have returned to Europe.

“So there is clearly a need for a succession plan. United can’t be caught out if Fernandes decides after the World Cup he wants to leave this summer, or if he says next season will be his last.

“Instead, the answer may well lie in the transfer market. Amid another summer focusing on Premier League-proven players, Aston Villa’s attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers is someone United are keen on, with the view within the game that Villa might be willing to cash in on the 23-year-old to help fund their own summer overhaul.

Can play multiple roles

“His versatility has also been on show this term, with 30 games as an attacking midfielder and 17 on the left wing. United are in the market for a left-winger this summer and if they can land Rogers, he could play on the left with Fernandes in the same team, before eventually taking control of that central position.”

Villa are open to a sale, and it will be interesting to see if United can cough up the money needed to seal the deal this summer.

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Manchester United signed Senne Lammens last summer, two years after David de Gea’s departure. The Spaniard left Old Trafford after the expiry of his contract in the summer of 2023, with the Red Devils signing Andre Onana as his replacement.

Fresh from helping Inter Milan reach the Champions League final, the Cameroonian was expected to power the Premier League giants’ resurgence under former manager Erik ten Hag. However, Onana’s time at the Theatre of Dreams turned out to be a disaster.

In his two seasons with United, the Cameroonian divided opinion among fans following a series of high-profile errors, conceding 150 goals in 102 appearances. The English giants ultimately grew tired of his performances last summer and brought in Lammens to address their goalkeeping woes, while offloading Onana on loan to Trabzonspor.

The Belgian custodian has been a revelation so far and looks like the perfect successor to De Gea. The Spaniard, meanwhile, took a one-year sabbatical after leaving United before joining Fiorentina, where he currently plies his trade.

De Gea’s Old Trafford spell

De Gea arrived at United in the summer of 2011 as the legendary Edwin van der Sar’s replacement. The Spaniard had a shaky start to his Old Trafford tenure before becoming one of the pillars of the first team.

The 35 year old won the Premier League under Sir Alex Ferguson and was also the No. 1 through a series of managerial changes. There were moments in the post-Ferguson era where he turned up as a one-man army, single-handedly denying the opposition.

His efforts saw him win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year Award a record four times, becoming the first player in the club’s history to do so. However, De Gea displayed signs of regression in the latter part of his career at Old Trafford, which is perhaps why the Red Devils opted to controversially part ways with him under Ten Hag.

Since his move to Fiorentina, the Spaniard has regained his mojo and has displayed flashes of the form that endeared him to fans at Old Trafford. This season, he has registered 11 clean sheets in 44 appearances for the Serie A club, and an update on his future has now emerged.

David de Gea Stats: 2025/26 Season

De Gea wants to retire at Fiorentina

According to Tuttomercatoweb, De Gea is settled in Tuscany and wants to retire at Fiorentina. However, he is willing to change his mind if United come calling.

The report states: “At the end of this season, the Spanish goalkeeper will still have two years left on his contract with Fiorentina, running until 2028, and the plan is precisely to see it through to its expiry when he will be almost 38 years old.”

“All this despite long-standing interest from Juventus, who will be looking for a replacement for Di Gregorio next season. According to the latest reports, there is only one club that could tempt him away: Manchester United, a team to which De Gea is inextricably linked, having played there for 12 years, from 2011 to 2023.”

“At the moment, however, no rumours have emerged in this regard, and barring any last-minute surprises, the future of the 1990-born goalkeeper looks set to remain at Fiorentina.”

Final Thoughts

With Lammens going from strength to strength this season and Radek Vitek also impressing on loan at Bristol City, United are unlikely to consider De Gea’s return any time soon. The veteran custodian remains an Old Trafford legend, having registered 188 clean sheets in 545 appearances for the club, but his time with the Red Devils is already over.

Is Senne Lammens for £18M the best value signing of the season? pic.twitter.com/P44qa2G7oq

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 30, 2026

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The Ivorian winger has simply not been himself in the months since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Since scoring against AFC Bournemouth in December, Amad has failed to contribute a single goal for United.

That drought is all the more concerning given he has been handed an attacking role as United returned to using natural wingers.

As the club’s first-choice right winger (with Bryan Mbeumo largely used as a false nine), the 23-year-old should be chipping in with assists if not goals.

That said, it has not been about production alone. Amad’s performances have also dipped well below par, with the last two games proving particularly telling. He was hooked at half-time against Brentford, and his error in the win over Liverpool has opened many eyes to the tricky winger’s struggles.

Amad Diallo stays or leaves

There is now a genuine debate over whether United should cut their losses and let him go, or show patience and trust that he will snap out of his poor form.

As the Red Devils ponder what to do with the winger, however, Sunderland have plans of their own.

Was a hit at The Stadium Of Light

While still hoping to break through at Manchester United, Amad spent time at the Stadium of Light, and what a massive hit he was there. In 39 games for the Black Cats, he scored 14 goals and contributed three assists.

Sunderland view Amad as a dream signing

That spell left a lasting impression, and the i paper now reports that Sunderland are ready to make their move for Amad if United hint at his availability.

The report claims,

“If (United’s)confidence ever wavered… Sunderland would make their pitch. Still considered a “dream signing” by key figures in the club’s recruitment department, the Black Cats have tried several times to re-sign Diallo since that first loan spell. Every time Manchester United have knocked them back, but interest endures.”

From that, it is clear that while the Premier League newcomers want Amad, they are waiting on a signal from United before they strike.

Whether that signal comes remains to be seen, but what is obvious is that the next three games could go a long way toward shaping United’s thinking about his future.

Everyone knows how dangerous Amad can be, but he needs to show it on the pitch. With both Amad and Bryan Mbeumo, the feeling was that United’s right wing was locked down for years. It is, therefore, all the more frustrating that doubts are now creeping in about the options there.

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Having just secured a return to the Champions League with the recent 3-2 victory over fierce rivals Liverpool, fans and ex-players have begun to throw their support behind Carrick, with many believing the future at Old Trafford will be bright with the former England international at the helm.

United need only four points from their remaining three Premier League games to guarantee a third-place finish, which would be their highest finish since 2023.

Does Carrick deserve the job?

Few could have envisioned just how drastically Carrick and his backroom staff would transform the fortunes of this team. When he first took on the role in January, United were in the midst of poor form, struggling to even build up a series of positive results.

After beginning his reign with stand-out victories over both Manchester City and Arsenal, Carrick has overseen his United side take 32 points from just 14 games, the most of any team in that time.

Additionally, Carrick has overseen a significant upturn in player form. No player has benefited more from the arrival of United’s former midfielder than Kobbie Mainoo, who celebrated his new long-term contract by producing a magnificent display against Liverpool in which he scored the winning goal.

Bruno Fernandes, whose potentially record-breaking season has seen him climb up the list of United’s all-time assist leaders, has thrived since Carrick moved him further up the pitch, returning him to a position where he is best suited to impact the game.

Do bigger challenges lie ahead?

Former United captain Roy Keane is yet to be convinced by Carrick’s credentials, however, and has voiced his concerns about the challenges that will lie ahead next season should the Englishman land the job on a full-time basis.

Speaking on The Overlap podcast, Keane said: “I can see where they’re coming from. Absolutely. But I’m not going to sit down and think Carrick’s going to get Man United competing in the top next two or three years. I don’t see it.”

“But I’d love to be proven wrong. Yeah, give him a chance to become a great coach at Man United. But he’s been at United a long time, though, right? There must have an idea. Again, he’s been with Mourinho. He’s been with Ole. He’s not managed. They must have an idea if people in the building go, no, he’s got something about him.”

“Would it be his calmness? I think that’s good sometimes. Sometimes we want a manager with emotion. We’ve seen Simeone last night, that’s his kind of trade. I praised Eddie Howe before for his calmness.”

“More maybe off-the-field stuff, working with people above you. Because that’s the biggest challenge of any manager, working with people above you. Has Carrick got that to work with Wilcox and all this? Is he too soft? Recruitment, will he be in charge of all of that? Next year, being in the Champions League. That becomes a challenge.”

Though Keane undoubtedly raises some good points, United’s recent performances have given fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic for the future.

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The shining light of Manchester United’s academy in recent years looked as though his days at Old Trafford could be numbered under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, who, for whatever reason, did not fancy the Stockport-born star as one of his starting XI.

Mainoo was almost out the door, albeit on a loan deal, before Amorim was given his marching orders and Carrick reinstated him in the side alongside the experienced head of Casemiro.

The England man has since enjoyed a wonderful run of form, culminating in him signing a new deal that will keep him at the Theatre of Dreams until 2031 at least.

Wonderful run of form

After an outstanding performance against Manchester City at Old Trafford in Carrick’s first game, it was clear Mainoo was going to play a huge role between then and the end of the season. It did take the midfield man some time to fully get up to speed after being frozen out for the best part of five months, but he has hit his straps in recent weeks and looks every inch the superstar he appeared to be when he burst onto the scene almost three years ago.

Mainoo’s relationship with Casemiro, supporting the outstanding Bruno Fernandes, has allowed the 21-year-old to flourish in a role that has given him licence to get forward and produce some breathtaking moments in the final third.

His clinical match-winning goal against Liverpool on Sunday might have been the crowning glory of them all, but that was not before a moment of pure genius that has earned him a prestigious Premier League award.

Creative Moment of the Month

In Manchester United’s previous game at Old Trafford, Mainoo set off on a run just inside his own half that saw him jink his way into the penalty area to set up Amad Diallo for what should have resulted in one of the goals of the season.

Firstly, the young man showed incredible strength to hold and then shrug off Mikkel Damsgaard, keeping the ball under his spell whilst approaching Brentford’s 18-yard box at pace.

Then, the drop of a shoulder and backheeled flick, almost in the same movement, saw him dance past two further opposition defenders and seemingly lay the ball on a plate for his Ivorian teammate.

Unfortunately, Amad’s finish was cleared off the line by Sepp van den Berg, who somehow kept the scoreline at 0-0 after Mainoo’s dazzling run left supporters’ jaws on the floor inside Old Trafford and beyond.

Despite it not resulting in a goal, it did play a part in Manchester United assuming their early dominance on the night and helped them race into a two-goal lead that Brentford could not overturn on the night, resulting in a crucial three points in the mission for Champions League qualification — a mission that has since been achieved.

It also clearly caught the eye of Premier League fans who voted the run as the Adobe Express Creative Moment of the Month for April.

The award has been running since the start of 2026, and Mainoo joins Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes, Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as winners of the gong, respectively.

Given his recent commitment to the club, Manchester United fans will no doubt be treated to more moments of Mainoo magic in the coming years, and the Carrington graduate can be extremely proud of his return to form that has been so welcomed by the adoring home faithful.

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Manchester United are plotting a shock raid for NEC Nijmegen midfield warrior Kodai Sano as INEOS turn their focus to Europe for more cost-effective signings, according to the latest report.

Midfield Reset

With Casemiro set to leave at the end of the season and uncertainty continuing to swirl around Manuel Ugarte’s future, United are preparing for a major rebuild in the middle of the park.

At least two options are expected to arrive at Old Trafford, though a third could join them if a buyer can be found for Ugarte.

The primary targets are a selection of the finest operators in England, including Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba. However, the financial strength of the Premier League means each of their respective clubs will be able to command an exorbitant fee, which could reach as high — or in excess of — £100 million.

As a result, INEOS are also exploring opportunities across Europe in search of high-upside alternatives without the tax involved in shopping on these shores. Atalanta dynamo Ederson is one name on the list, while Stuttgart maestro Angelo Stiller is another with admirers in M16.

But TEAMtalk reveals Sano has now emerged as a player firmly on United’s radar.

The Red Devils are not alone in the race, however, with Crystal Palace having seen an approach rejected in January, while Ajax and Wolfsburg are also monitoring the 22-year-old’s progress closely. Brighton & Hove Albion are another in hot pursuit, with a joke amongst United fans being that the club should just sign whoever the Seagulls choose as their next gem from abroad.

Other suitors are understood to be RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Schalke in Germany, Spanish rivals Real Sociedad and Real Betis, while Monaco and Lyon are among those monitoring the Japan international in Ligue 1.

Breakout Season

Sano joined NEC Nijmegen, currently third in the Eredivisie, from his local team, Fagiano Okayama, on a free transfer in 2023. It has proven a masterstroke for the Dutch side, however, as he has gone on to establish himself as one of the league’s most dynamic midfielders.

The Tsuyama native is capable of playing in a variety of roles, possessing an all-action style that is effective at both ends of the pitch. His ability to cover ground aggressively, recover possession and quickly transition play translates perfectly to the increasingly fast-paced nature of Premier League football.

Recruitment teams in England are understood to see Sano as a talent with “huge potential”. Three goals and eight assists in 32 appearances this season — an impressive return for a midfielder who gets through as much defensive work as Sano does — further validates these assessments.

Final Thoughts

While INEOS have made splashes in the transfer market with big-money raids for stars like Leny Yoro and Benjamin Sesko, the hierarchy’s best piece of business since taking the helm at Old Trafford has been the £18.1 million deal for Senne Lammens from Belgian side Royal Antwerp.

Lammens was an under-the-radar youngster in a smaller league with limited experience but enormous potential, who had just enjoyed a breakout campaign — the same situation Sano currently finds himself in.

A price tag of £17 million was quoted by NEC Nijmegen when Ajax came sniffing earlier in the season, one which United would have little trouble paying in order to help fund the capture of a more high-profile target domestically.

The fact that a host of clubs across Europe’s biggest leagues are vying to secure Sano’s signature this summer means INEOS will have to move quickly and decisively to strike first.

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Since Carrick first took the reins at his old club, the Red Devils have picked up the most points in the Premier League and secured a return to football’s elite European competition, the Champions League.

Things are certainly looking brighter for the club than they were under previous coach Ruben Amorim, who struggled to adapt to the demands of one of the biggest jobs in world football.

A surprise return to form

Many thought a top five finish and return to the Champions League would be impossible when Carrick returned to the club in January. The team were in poor form and results had been well below par, leading to concerns the club might be on course for another nightmare season.

Under the calm leadership of Carrick, who played for the club at the same time as stalwart Luke Shaw, United appear to have turned a corner. Results have been nothing short of spectacular, with Carrick managing to beat all of the traditional top six teams in his short time in charge so far.

Moreover, many United players have hit top form in this period. Under his stewardship, Bruno Fernandes is on course to break the all-time Premier League assist record and Kobbie Mainoo’s fine form has earned him a lucrative new contract.

This uptick in form and improvement in player relations has led to many United players throwing their support behind Carrick, believing he should receive the job on a permanent basis.

Is a more experienced manager required?

Legendary pundit and former United captain Gary Neville has come around somewhat on his former teammate landing the job on a permanent basis, but he still has some reservations.

Speaking on The Overlap Stick To Football Podcast, Neville said: “If Luis Enrique and Carlo Ancelotti become available, I do think Manchester United should go on to appoint a manager who’s won the Champions League, titles in different countries, and have somebody who can handle the scrutiny of the job.”

“If they’re going into the Glasner and Iraola stuff and Fabregas, I don’t believe they should appoint those. So Michael [Carrick] should get it if they don’t get a world-class manager.”

It seems unlikely that Enrique would leave PSG having just guided them to a second consecutive Champions League final and, with his first World Cup as Brazil manager approaching, Ancelotti is sure to be entirely focused on his role there.

All of which seems to suggest Neville would, unless something truly unexpected occurred, be happy for his old teammate to get a longer chance in the manager’s seat. A chance few can argue he does not deserve.

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At the start of the year, INEOS decided to pull the plug on Ruben Amorim’s United project. The Old Trafford chiefs finally conceded that the team was not improving under the Portuguese tactician.

Rather than immediately appointing a replacement, the Red Devils opted for the caretaker route, with Michael Carrick being asked to take charge until the summer.

Fantastic under Michael Carrick

Well, 14 games later, what a revelation the ex-midfielder has been while leading this team. United have picked up an impressive 10 wins, drawing two and losing two. This fine run, accompanied by some brilliant performances, has certainly positioned Carrick as a top contender for the United job.

And while other top contenders keep being crossed off the list, it recently emerged that the Englishman’s strongest rival for the role was Andoni Iraola.

Andoni Iraola has been brilliant at the Vitality

Iraola has been brilliant for AFC Bournemouth. The Spaniard arrived and turned a relegation-battling side into a fierce Premier League competitor capable of tearing through any opposition.

Watching the Cherries play, you would be blown away by how they control games, how they never tire, and how threatening they are.

Last summer saw a mass exodus at the south-coast outfit, including Antoine Semenyo’s exit in the winter, yet they have continued to compete.

As great as they have been, they are currently on a 15-game unbeaten run, so it was surprising to learn that Iraola would be leaving in the summer. Nevertheless, that decision had several top Premier League clubs salivating at the opportunity to hire the 43-year-old.

United were among those keen, and not long ago it was claimed that, despite Carrick’s great work, the Bournemouth head coach remained a strong candidate for the Old Trafford job.

Just as the United faithful were looking ahead to who between Carrick and Iraola would get the nod, an interesting update has dropped from Spain.

Crystal Palace closing in on Iraola appointment

El Chiringuito claims Iraola is close to making the move to Selhurst Park, where he would replace the departing Oliver Glasner when his contract at the Vitality Stadium ends.

"ANDONI IRAOLA, CERCA de LLEGAR al CRYSTAL PALACE".

Información de @marcosbenito9 pic.twitter.com/BpNslT9w0P

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) May 7, 2026

If there is any ounce of truth in this, then surely the United job is Carrick’s.

With Iraola now likely out of the picture, INEOS have an obvious decision to make.

With no other serious options on the table, they have every excuse to hand Carrick the permanent head coach role at Old Trafford and trust him to sustain his brilliance leading this team.

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Manchester United are ramping up their pursuit of West Ham United midfield maestro Mateus Fernandes as the conditions for a deal are now clear, according to a transfer expert.

Fernandes 2.0

Despite facing the potential ignominy of back-to-back relegations — first with Southampton and now with West Ham United — Fernandes‘s stock continues to rise after an impressive debut campaign in claret and blue.

The Hammers signed the 21-year-old last summer for £42 million and are understood to consider him a cornerstone of their project moving forward. It would take a big-money offer to prise him away from the London Stadium.

However, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are currently stranded in eighteenth place after rivals Tottenham Hotspur leapfrogged them last weekend. A daunting trip to face table-toppers Arsenal looms on Saturday, while Tottenham Hotspur host a Leeds United side with little left to play for.

If West Ham United are unable to survive the drop, their negotiating position for Fernandes will crumble, and there is full expectation he will depart. United are at the front of a growing queue for the Portugal international, though Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are also admirers.

Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes is believed to see his compatriot as a perfect fit at Old Trafford and has implored INEOS to strike a deal — with his bosses having listened to their talismanic No. 8.

Talks are held

Speaking to the United Stand, Ben Jacobs reveals United have “been in talks” with Mateus Fernandes’ camp for “four to six weeks…to establish terms [and] see if the player is open [to the move].”

The talkSPORT reporter claims these conversations have been productive as Fernandes has communicated his wish to swap London for Manchester, describing him as “open” to United’s advances, but club-to-club negotiations are yet to be initiated.

“If West Ham stay up, the deal will likely be off the table, at least without significantly overpaying. And sources say they will sit down with the player to and look to give him improved terms. [But] if they go down, it gets interesting because [Fernandes] does not want to be in the Championship.”

Jacobs concludes that even with relegation, West Ham United will demand a fee in excess of the one they paid to Southampton. However, this would still come in under the prices being quoted for primary targets like Elliot Anderson or Sandro Tonali.

Final Thoughts

Fernandes is an outstanding young midfielder with the qualities in and out of possession to thrive across a variety of roles in the Premier League. If the former Sporting Clube de Portugal star can be signed in a cut-price deal thanks to West Ham United’s relegation, United will be hard pressed to find a better value target this summer.

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