Manchester United kicked off their Carabao Cup defence with a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Erik ten Hag did what he very rarely did last season and made a whole host of changes for the League Cup outing. That being said, a number of his key players returning from injury were thrown into the XI, so it looked far from a second-string side.
Mason Mount was one of those returning from injury and he enjoyed a fine outing, grabbing a first-half assist for Casemiro and showing the kind of form that convinced United to spend as much as £60million on him during the summer. Mount was replaced at half-time, prompting brief concerns the he may have reaggravated his recent injury, but Ten Hag confirmed post-match that his withdrawal was pre-planned.
Away from United’s progress in the Carabao Cup, Jadon Sancho had us guessing once again yesterday after he deactivated his Instagram account. This isn’t the first time he’s deactivated the account but it comes just weeks after his public disagreement with manager Erik ten Hag. We’ll have any updates on the situation for you right here.
Catch up with the latest United news, analysis and gossip with our blog updates below.
United draw Newcastle in Carabao Cup – BREAKING
United have now discovered their Carabao Cup fourth round opponents.
The draw was held tonight after the TV game between Newcastle and City.
Newcastle are, incidentally, next up for Erik ten Hag and his team.
United were 3-0 winners in against Crystal Palace in the third round last night. Goals from Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro and Anthony Martial settled the scores as a match with last season’s final opponents awaits next up.
Sofyan Amrabat maps out transfer plan amid loan
Sofyan Amrabat impressed on his first start for United against Crystal Palace after sealing a loan move to the club on deadline day. In his post-match interview, the Morocco player said he only ever wanted to sign for United and has opened the door up to a longer stay.
The only thing I can do is give everything I have, to do my best to try to help the team. I hope we have a fantastic season and hope we can win something, and then later we will see what will happen. Of course, I would love to stay here, but that’s not important for me, I don’t look too far in the future.
Next six Premier League games for United
United followed up the Burnley win by defeating Crystal Palace last night.
Here are their next six Premier League matches to note down in the diary;
Saturday, September 30 vs Crystal Palace (H) at 3pm
Saturday, October 7 vs Brentford (H) at 3pm
Saturday, October 21 vs Sheffield United (A) at 8pm
Sunday, October 29 vs Man City (H) at 3.30pm
Saturday, November 4 vs Fulham (A) at 12.30pm
Saturday, November 11 vs Luton Town (H) at
United plan contract discussions with Hannibal
United plan to hold discussions with Hannibal Mejbri about a new long-term contract.
Mejbri, 20, is out of contract in June, but the Premier League giants are expected to trigger their one-year option to tie him down with the club until 2025. It’s understood, though, that United do not regard Mejbri’s future as an urgent issue, due to the maximum expiry date of his deal.
Betting odds to win Carabao Cup this season
United swept aside Crystal Palace with a 3-0 win in the Carabao Cup last night.
Here are the latest odds from Bet365 to be competition winners this campaign;
Manchester City – 3/1
Manchester United – 11/2
Liverpool – 13/2
Arsenal – 7/1
Chelsea – 8/1
Brighton – 10/1
Newcastle United – 10/1
*Odds were correct at 19:00 on September 27. Subject to change.
United consider Serge Gnabry swoop – reports
Reports suggest United are weighing-up a January move for Serge Gnabry.
The forward played (and scored) against United for Bayern Munich last week.
United are without Jadon Sancho and Antony in his position.
But will the Bundesliga champions allow Gnabry, 28, to leave mid-season? Reports from Spanish publication Nacional – via the Football365 website – indicate that a return to the Premier League could be on the cards for the former Arsenal and West Brom man.
Varane on captaincy pride
Raphael Varane has expressed his pride at captaining the Reds during their 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Crystal Palace.
Taking to Instagram, Varane posted on his story: “Proud to captain our special club tonight Manchester United.” Next up for Varane and his United teammates is another clash with Palace on Saturday afternoon, this time in the Premier League.
Gore on United dream
Academy graduate Dan Gore said it was a “dream come true” to mark his 19th birthday by making his senior debut for Manchester United in Tuesday night’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace.
The midfielder appeared as a second-half substitute, stepping off the bench just past the hour-mark to replace Sofyan Amrabat. He slotted into midfield and saw out the match playing alongside Casemiro, who had earlier scored and provided an assist to put the Reds in command of the tie.
“It tops the list of birthdays, it was truly a special moment,” Gore told MUTV. “I don’t think words can describe that feeling, seeing the fans, it is everything you’ve dreamed of, coming true.
“It means everything [to make your debut], growing up as a United fan [along with] my whole family, it means a lot to them and they were all here supporting me.”
OPINION: How Casemiro is leading Rodri and Rice this season
“He has scored three goals and claimed one assist in his last three games, meaning he is continuing to step up and lead by example, even in areas you would not usually associate him with doing so. However, he regularly found the net at Real Madrid, meaning his tally of 18 direct goal contributions in United colours so far should not be too great a surprise. Though he wasn’t signed for his goals and attacking credentials, every manager demands every member of his squad to chip in, whether they are a right-back or a left-winger. In this modern era, it is becoming a more regular theme to see out-and-out defensive midfielders contribute to the goals department.”
Bruce explains how Sancho can try and salvage his United career
Former defender Steve Bruce has urged United winger Jadon Sancho to apologise to both Erik ten Hag and his teammates amid his current ban from the first-team quad.
Sancho is currently banned from training with United’s fellow senior stars after accusing Ten Hag of lying in a social media post earlier this month. The winger hit back at the Dutchman after being left out of the matchday squad for the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on September 3.
Amrabat keen on permanent United switch
United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has admitted that he would love to turn his season-long loan move into a permanent deal next summer.
United swooped for the Moroccan international on transfer deadline day earlier this month, signing him on loan from Fiorentina for the campaign. United have the option to turn the loan agreement into a permanent deal next summer, and Amrabat is already hoping that will come to fruition.
Why Ten Hag gave Gore his United debut vs Palace
United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that hard work and high performance levels in training contributed to Dan Gore being awarded his debut in last night’s Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace.
The youngster stepped off the bench just past the hour-mark to make his first senior appearance for the club. It was the perfect birthday present for the academy graduate, who turned 19 yesterday.
United ‘planning contract talks’ with Ten Hag
According to a report by 90min, United are ‘planning’ to ‘open talks’ with manager Erik ten Hag over a new contract.
The Dutchman, who was appointed boss in April last year, has enjoyed a successful start to life at Old Trafford, depsite encountering no shortage of difficult situations.
OPINION: Sancho is going against his own United promise
“Jadon Sancho has a right to feel aggrieved. If he feels like he has been training as hard as he can, putting in 100 per cent effort, and then his senior who has all the power in the working relationship publically calls him out, then he has a right to defend himself. The defence is allowed to be as loud as the criticism. Why should he apologise without getting one first? It’s a fine line and it’s easy to see why neither party wants to accept the blame. But Sancho is the one who is reneging on his promise.”
OPINION: United got what they’ve been waiting for from Garnacho vs Palace
“That kind of cameo will never be enough for Alejandro Garnacho though, who looks like one of Europe’s brightest talents when he is at his best and must surely be putting himself in the frame for more regular involvement. The key to achieving that might have been influencing games from the start and this was a good night in that regard. You would certainly expect that Garnacho has now jumped ahead of Facundo Pellistri when it comes to filling in while Antony, who has returned to the UK, and Jadon Sancho are unavailable.”
Carabao Cup fourth round draw ball numbers confirmed
The EFL have confirmed the ball numbers for tonight’s Carabao Cup fourth round draw.
United booked their place in the next round of the competition last night with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace and will be ball No.4 in the draw scheduled to take place later.
OPINION: Ten Hag reaction to Martial showed United striker’s role this season
“Erik ten Hag has never wavered publicly from his backing of Anthony Martial and when the striker bed his chance to get off the mark for the season against Crystal Palace, his manager raised both arms to the sky on the touchline. It might have been relief that Martial’s goal, United’s third of the night, had put this cup tie to bed, but you do wonder if Ten Hag still harbours hope of being the man to unlock Martial’s potential at Old Trafford.”
United dealt Hickey ‘blow’
United are said to have suffered a minor blow in their reported pursuit of highly-rated Brentford right-back Aaron Hickey.
That is according to a report by Football Insider, which claims the Scotsman is ‘happy’ in west London after recent reports linked him with a potential exit. It has been claimed that United, along with Liverpool and Newcastle United, are ‘interested’ in the 21-year-old ahead of the January transfer window.
Amrabat reflects on full United debut
Sofyan Amrabat admitted that it was a ‘fantastic feeling’ to make his first appearance for United at Old Trafford last night.
The Moroccan, signed on loan from Fiorentina earlier this month, was awarded his first start after stepping off the bench as a substitute against Burnley 72 hours earlier.
Antony to meet with police over abuse allegations after returning to the UK
United winger Antony has agreed to voluntarily meet with Greater Manchester Police for questioning over allegations of abuse made by his former girlfriend.
The 23-year-old arrived back in the UK from Brazil yesterday and the Manchester Evening News understands he will now meet with GMP officers and is willing to hand over his phone to the force to help them with their investigations.
Keane urges Sancho to apologise to Ten Hag
Former midfielder Roy Keane has urged United winger Jadon Sancho to apologise to manager Erik ten Hag after being banished from first-team training.
The England international has been exiled from the squad in recent weeks after a public falling out with his manager. Prior to the international break, Ten Hag criticised the winger’s training performances, resulting in Sancho taking to social media to hit back.
OPINION: Amrabat and Mount can give United a midfield solution
“United’s midfield has also been helped by signs of a revival from Casemiro, who can’t stop scoring this season but wasn’t signed for his goals. His double at the Allianz Arena a week ago masked a poor performance, but he was solid at Burnley and dominant against Crystal Palace. With Bruno Fernandes remaining an unused substitute, midfield options are suddenly returning for Ten Hag, as long as Mount’s injury isn’t too serious.”
United ‘monitoring’ Valencia star
According to Spanish publication Marca, United are ‘monitoring’ Valencia youngster Javi Guerra.
The 20-year-old, who is a defensive-midfielder, is considered as one of the brighest prospects in La Liga, and United have reportedly sent scouts to Spain to ‘track’ his progress. It is claimed that the Reds could attempt to sign him in 2024.
Newcastle United have also been credited with interest.