Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath hear from Amber Haque in Mexico City after England's epic win in the Azteca - is this the year a Manchester United player wins the World Cup?
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Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on which free agents Man Utd could target this summer and whether there is one player the Red Devils are linked with but you hope they never sign.
Here are some of your comments:
Michael: Idrissa Gueye from Everton would be a perfect fit. Free agent, central defensive midfielder that is very good defensively and can control play. He would be the perfect Casemiro replacement! I pray we don't sign Baleba who hasn't done much to impress me and costs £100m.
Tim: Given Ugarte's injury, surely Goretzka for free with a couple of other central midfield signings brings a bit of experience and squad depth.
Milton: United fans do not want Carlos Baleba.
Richard: We could do with a backup striker - I assume Vlahovic still thinks highly of himself so would ask for an outrageous salary but if not would he a good option. Other than that, no one really fits the bill. Nmecha seems like an obvious failed transfer for us. Over priced hyped player from Dortmund? When will we learn?
Adam: I don't think we need to sign Tchouameni, because I don't think he is that good, and there are also way more players in the world that can play a six. I would want Bouaddi though, a clever young midfielder.
Oliver: We could take Solly March if we need another more experienced midfielder in the team. Fabinho might not want to leave the Saudi league but if he does want to, it would be a good signing as he can also drop into a CB position, possibly towards the end of games.
Ste: There's no freebies that I would be looking at, we had the brains to go for quality Premier League players last year and the word quality is what needs to be involved with any incomings this year. Any two or three of the following would be nice - Tchouameni, Rodgers, Scott, Sarr, Summerville, Hall or Kounde.
Eric: In reality, we shouldn't be going anywhere near the free agent market. I'd take Stones but his injury record is woeful, as is Bissouma's, so in reality we should be prioritising a young central defensive midfielder in the mould of Casemiro as we now currently have only three fit midfielders in the squad. Tchouameni signing is what it would take to bring us back to title contention.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe're now well into the knockout rounds of the biggest World Cup ever and we want to know who has grabbed your attention - especially with the summer transfer window open since 15 June.
Which player has raised your eyebrows? Who has exceeded your expectations? Has there been a player you had no knowledge of consistently impress you?
Ultimately, who would you realistically like to see lining up for your team in the Premier League next season?
This is your opportunity to show off your talent-spotting skills - the floor (pitch) is yours...
Tell us the players you want, with your reasoning, here
Enjoy the World Cup across BBC Sport
Image source, BBC SportFrom live TV coverage to highlights, analysis and reaction, our dedicated team will ensure you don't miss a kick of the biggest World Cup yet.
And there's more - the BBC has launched live match updates so you can see the score directly on your lock screen through the full 90 minutes and beyond.
This means you can keep track of every game wherever you are - whether you're on the move, at work, or away from a TV. With live match updates on your lock screen, the score is always just a glance away.
This feature will also extend into the 2026-27 Premier League season, so you're never out of the loop.
A new predictor game has been introduced to cover this year's World Cup, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from every match.
The game also features streaks, so make sure to check in each day and make your predictions.
Ever wanted to see a World Cup match from every angle? How about a full-pitch tactical view? Or even see the match through the eyes of a player?
Well, now you can with Fifa World Cup 3D Experience, which is a UK-first that is only available on BBC Sport.
The interactive game experience gives viewers more choice to explore the match both in real time, highlights and full-match replays.
Finally, here are some more handy links:
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea's Andrey Santos is the latest player Manchester United have taken an interest in as they look to address their problem midfield position.
With Casemiro leaving after his contract expired on 30 June and Manuel Ugarte expected to be sold, United went into the summer with England's Kobbie Mainoo as their only recognised central midfielder and with the stated aim of addressing the situation as a matter of priority.
Since then, events have taken a turn.
Ugarte sustained what the 25-year-old described as "the most serious injury a footballer can face" on World Cup duty for Uruguay against Spain.
In the transfer market, United have encountered more issues.
On 25 June, Manchester City agreed a club record £116m deal with Nottingham Forest for England international Elliot Anderson. He had been United's number one midfield target.
Then, on 2 July, Tottenham paid a club record £85m for West Ham's Mateus Fernandes. United had pushed hard to sign the Portuguese and genuinely thought he was a player they could attain.
United have agreed a £35m deal with Serie A outfit Atalanta for Ederson but his late call-up to the Brazil squad means his medical will not happen until Carlo Ancelotti's side are out of the competition. As with all United's World Cup players, he will then get a minimum of three weeks off.
Had Liam Rosenior remained as Chelsea manager, Santos might not have been for sale. The 22-year-old featured for Rosenior at Strasbourg and made 43 appearances for Chelsea last season.
He fits the same kind of profile as Casemiro, albeit with vastly less experience. BBC Sport's Nizaar Kinsella reported on 3 July "a number of sides are understood to be interested in Santos" and that "those close to Santos seem open to the possibility of a move".
He could be available for around £50m.
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, @jacey.carrickManchester United have included a couple of notable names among their first-year scholars.
Kai Rooney and Jacey Carrick have joined the club on a permanent basis.
Both youngsters featured for United's Under-18 team last season even though they were only 16.
Now the pair – sons of United's record goalscorer Wayne and current head coach Michael – have taken the first steps towards the professional game.
Rooney and Carrick have both known each other since their dads' playing days and posted pictures on social media from the past as well as the present to celebrate their joint achievement.
Manchester United have their sights on Paraguay and San Lorenzo goalkeeper Orlando Gill, 26. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has rejoined Turkish side Trabzonspor on loan for the 2026-27 season.
There will be no option to buy but Trabzonspor will cover all of Onana's wages for the duration of the deal and pay a loan fee, with a series of realistic add-ons also included in the arrangement.
Onana made 29 appearances for Trabzonspor while on loan during the 2025-26 campaign, helping them win the Turkish Cup for the first time since 2020.
While he was scheduled to return to United's pre-season in July, the 30-year-old - who United signed for £47.2m from Inter Milan in 2023 - knew there was no chance of ousting Senne Lammens as head coach Michael Carrick's first choice.
With Lemmens with the Belgium squad at the World Cup, the future of United's number two goalkeeper Altay Bayindir also uncertain and promising youngster Radek Vitek hoping to get a move before pre-season training starts, Carrick could have some inexperienced goalkeepers, plus veteran Tom Heaton, in his squad for the opening friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki on 17 July.
We have been asking you questions about Manchester United all summer. Our latest is a two-pronged query...
First, is there anyone on the free transfer list you think makes sense or is realistic as a signing?
Mohamed Salah, John Stones, Solly March, Fabinho, Leon Goretzka, Dusan Vlahovic, Daichi Kamada and Yves Bissouma are just some of the names currently available - and you can see a list here of the 15 free agents involved at the World Cup.
And secondly, is there a player United are constantly linked with but you hope they never sign? If so, who and why?
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesPortugal's amazing last-32 victory over Croatia means Manchester United fans have plenty to keep their interest as the World Cup heads into its final fortnight.
Depending on how Casemiro is viewed – and Cristiano Ronaldo for that matter - 11 (or to be strictly accurate nine) United players are still going, including Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, who were bystanders as Portugal came from behind, and survived a dramatic VAR check in the 13th minute of injury time, to beat Croatia and book a last-16 meeting with Spain.
Fernandes is one of six United players who has had a meaningful impact across the tournament.
Up to last night, he had featured in every minute for Portugal. However, a single assist explained why Roberto Martinez took Fernandes off against Croatia, with his side trailing and heading out of the competition. Fernandes did nearly give Portugal the lead much earlier in the contest and it is difficult to imagine he will not start against Spain.
United team-mate Diogo Dalot was an unused substitute. The defender has featured for just 45 minutes so far - the second half of the goalless draw with Colombia.
Four of United's contingent have not played a minute yet. Altay Bayindir and Tyler Fletcher won't as Turkey and Scotland are out. It would need an injury or suspension for Senne Lammens to get on in place of Belgium's Thibaut Courtois, while many are questioning how Kobbie Mainoo has not been called upon given England's lack of creativity against deep defences.
Matheus Cunha is arguably the United player who has had the biggest impact so far. He has scored three goals for Brazil and been integral to the improved form of Carlo Ancelotti's side after establishing himself as the first-choice striker.
Casemiro is only just not a United player, so there is reflected glory in his vital equaliser against Japan, while Ederson is not quite a United player, so there was interest in his nine-minute cameo against Haiti.
Lisandro Martinez seems set for a long run in the tournament as one of Argentina's starting central defenders. Noussair Mazraoui is in the same position for Morocco, who play Canada in the first last-16 game on Saturday.
Marcus Rashford has featured in all four England games but arguably his biggest impact was his goalscoring cameo off the bench in the opener against Croatia.
Amad Diallo impressed with two goals in four games for Ivory Coast – as many goals as he managed all season for United. Sadly, Manuel Ugarte's tournament ended as he was carried off on a stretcher during Uruguay's elimination by Spain with a ligament injury that looks likely to rule him out for the season.
As for Ronaldo, he is of course not a Manchester United player – but his bond to the club is so strong, no supporter is ambivalent about what happens to him.
Other than Fletcher, it is unlikely any United player will feature in the club's first two pre-season friendlies - against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July, the day before the World Cup final, and Rosenborg on 24 July.
If he gets his three weeks off, those already out are likely to return for the game against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on 1 August.
It is envisaged all United's senior players will be on the week-long training camp in the Republic of Ireland that follows the 8 August encounter with Paris St-Germain.
After missing out on Mateus Fernandes, Manchester United are ready to make a bid for Brighton's 22-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba. (Give Me Sport), external
Roma and Morocco midfielder Neil El Aynaoui is being monitored by a number of Premier League clubs, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton, Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Sunderland all asking about the 25-year-old's availability. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesWe've been asking you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Manchester United.
Here are some of your comments:
Nathan: Mexico's Gilberto Mora - so impressive down the wing. Just 17 years old but such a skilled hard-worker who also tracks back and doesn't give up. Tackles players twice his size and wins the ball. Great skills.
Jack: Ayyoub Bouaddi. He is a proper centre-midfielder who can carry the ball and also recover it. I'd pay the £70m for him before someone else does. Felix Nmecha from Germany is also a player I would sign.
Rob: Well, Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill might be worth a punt after his display against Germany. I'm sure someone in Europe will make him an offer. Given that he still plays in Paraguay, I'm sure he would be very interested in an opportunity to play in the Premier League.
Bob: After seeing Japan play at this World Cup, I can see why in previous seasons United have kept tabs on Zion Suzuki in goal. Would be an ideal choice as a number two to Senne Lammens.
Keep telling us who you've seen playing at the World Cup you'd like in United's squad
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesDespite no signings so far this summer, Marcus Rashford is a Manchester United players again.
His contract - the biggest at the club - also runs until 2028.
Barcelona opted not to trigger a £26m transfer for the 28-year-old, currently on World Cup duty with England, last month.
United's current stance is that they will not entertain another loan to Barca. Unless he finds a new club in the meantime, he will also return for pre-season training three weeks after his World Cup commitments are over.
Club officials are portraying a sense of calm, stating, quite rightly, it is seven weeks before the first Premier League game at Hull City and almost nine before the transfer window closes.
'We are going to sign players' – is the assurance. How they play, not whether they are a big name or not, will be the judgement on which their status is measured, it is being stressed.
Whether that is enough to appease many of the club's supporters – buoyed by last season's unexpected Champions League qualification and desperate for new arrivals – is another matter.
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesFor the second time in a week, Manchester United have missed out on a midfield target.
On 25 June, Manchester City agreed a club record £116m deal with Nottingham Forest for United's first-choice Elliot Anderson.
Now Tottenham have agreed to pay West Ham £85m for Mateus Fernandes.
United were keen on both. The issue is how much it would have cost to bring them to Old Trafford.
But, as June flips into July, out of contract players such as Casemiro and Jadon Sancho have now left. Others, most significantly Marcus Rashford and Andre Onana, are Manchester United players again.
So far, no-one has come in and, beyond Rasmus Hojlund, whose £38m exit was confirmed in May following Napoli's qualification for next season's Champions League, and those out of contract, no-one has left.
United have agreed a £35m deal with Serie A outfit Atalanta for Ederson but his late call-up to the Brazil squad means his medical will not happen until Carlo Ancelotti's side – who play Norway in the last 16 on 5 July – are out of the competition.
But they want at least one, and possibly two, more midfield options.
They have most recently been linked with Bournemouth's Alex Scott, although Arsenal have already been told the 22-year-old is not for sale and his current club are keen to tie him down to a long-term contract.
A second Bournemouth midfielder in Tyler Adams and Brighton's Carlos Baleba have also been mentioned.
Another name being floated is Felix Nmecha, a former academy player at Manchester City.
Nmecha is well known to United's director of football Jason Wilcox, who was formerly head of City's academy.
The position of Real Madrid's France international Aurelien Tchouameni continues to be monitored but the feeling at this stage is that he will remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.
There are likely to be other names being considered as well.
United sources are adamant their recruitment strategy is the right one and point to the relative success of last summer to prove it.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on Manchester United pulling out of the transfer for West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes, as Tottenham agree a deal.
Here are some of your comments:
John: Manchester United have made it obvious they want to put profits before trophies. We will finish up with no midfield next season.
Isaac: I feel like he is the one player who had room to flourish but the figure was always going to be a determinant. Sad to see him go, especially to Spurs. We should not be losing out to teams with no Champions League to offer.
Luis: I'm very disappointed with us not chasing the Fernandes deal - look at how good Declan Rice has been for Arsenal. We need at least three midfielders, especially with the extra 10-15 games we will play and the injury to Manuel Ugarte. It just seems all the club is focused on is cutting costs and wanting to build a new stadium when we need to focus on the squad now. I can understand they don't want to splurge on players as we have done in the past, but if this club wants to succeed we need to start taking more risks.
Simon: This is just a repeat situation of the same old problems. If we're not careful, we will waste all the good work that Michael Carrick has put in.
Mark: Personally, I don't think we're missing out at all at the reported £85m. Years gone by United have been ridiculed at throwing big money on transfer fees so, in my honest opinion, it's correct not to pay that asking price.
Nigel: I feel the management are right to only want players to join if they are committed to United. We have lost a lot of money overpaying for players who weren't fully committed and whose performances showed it.
Nigel: If Fernandes decides to go to Spurs then it's his loss. He'll regret it.
Ian: Draw a line under it and move on, no way is he an £85m player. Move for Aurelien Tchouameni or Sandro Tonali.
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has yet to feature for England at the 2026 World Cup with Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson emerging as Thomas Tuchel's preferred starters in central midfield.
When Rice was injured for the final group game against Panama, Tuchel made a tactical change to start Morgan Rogers and then Jordan Henderson was preferred to come on from the bench.
While former United striker Wayne Rooney has called for the England boss to play Mainoo ahead of Anderson when England face DR Congo in the last 32, BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast host Gaz Drinkwater and guest Jay Motty have branded the lack of minutes "insulting".
Gaz said: "The biggest insult of all, for me Jordan Henderson coming on ahead of Kobbie Mainoo is ridiculous."
Jay added: "I'll go even further, I think the biggest insult of all is that Kobbie Mainoo's not starting for England.
"I don't think you need Rice and Anderson in the group stages and I know Rice was injured but that should have been the opportunity then for Mainoo to start and he still wouldn't start him. You've moved Bellingham deeper and started Rogers.
"You don't need two players that are similar. They're very good. I'm not saying Rice and Anderson aren't good players, but do you really need Rice and Anderson against Ghana or against Croatia even? I don't think you do.
"I think Mainoo and one of Rice and Anderson, it's probably going to be Rice isn't it because of his experience and the fact that he's an England stalwart, works perfectly. We saw it in the Euros.
"It worked perfectly and got us to the final and for some reason Tuchel prefers having these two sort of similar players and even then when one of them is injured, he shuffles it and even going further than that when you're rotating players around with substitutions, he still won't bring Mainoo on.
"The thing that baffles me about this is Mainoo is a better player than Jordan Henderson. I think he's got more talent. I think he's fitter. That's probably the least controversial opinion I've ever had. I don't even think Jordan Henderson would disagree with that one to be honest with you."
Listen to the full episode of The Devils' Advocate on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesMarcus Rashford's rise from being raised by a single mother in Fallowfield, Withington and Wythenshawe to a Manchester United hero and key figure in England's World Cup 2026 squad is detailed in the latest episode of Homegrown Heroes on BBC Radio Manchester.
Rashford's former youth coach and past managers speak to his ability, as BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater talks you through his journey over the last decade in becoming a Manchester icon.
Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds
Sami Mokbel and Simon Stone
BBC Sport
Image source, Getty ImagesTottenham have agreed an £85m deal to sign Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham.
The north London club saw off competition from Manchester United, who were unwilling to match the fee agreed by Spurs - which is a guaranteed £85m without add-ons.
The 21-year-old was viewed as a primary target for Tottenham after their £80m bid to sign Sandro Tonali was rejected by Newcastle.
Fernandes was understood to have an open mind about where he goes, with his agent Jorge Mendes speaking to both Tottenham and Manchester United.
Manchester United are sticking to their position of only being willing to buy players at what they consider to be right valuation.
They did like Fernandes but felt their stance paid off last season when they believe patience was rewarded with the right players coming in at right price.
United were not convinced Fernandes really wanted to play for the club.
The priority at Old Trafford is strengthening the central midfield area and they have already agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta for Ederson, but his arrival has been delayed by a late call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad.
United's players are due to return for pre-season training on 9 July and so far, other than out-of-contract duo Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia, Michael Carrick's squad remains as it was at the end of last season, with no significant departures or arrivals.
The plan to sell Manuel Ugarte will now have to be shelved after his serious injury on World Cup duty with Uruguay. Meanwhile, Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee is still at the club, and sources have dismissed rumours around the exit of midfielder Mason Mount.
Is this a mistake? Are you concerned Man Utd missed out? Tell us
Manchester City, Manchester United and Bayern Munich have joined Arsenal by expressing interest in Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, but Lille want at least £70m for the 18-year-old and to keep him on loan next season. (Mail), external
Meanwhile, Liverpool, Arsenal, United and Borussia Dortmund are interested in 25-year-old Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano, who scored for Japan in their World Cup last-32 defeat by Brazil. (Bulinews, via Nikkan Sports), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesMateus Fernandes' future should become clearer over the next few days as Manchester United and Tottenham and battle it out to sign the West Ham midfielder.
Fernandes was not intended to be part of the first lot of Hammers players that returns for pre-season training next Monday.
However, it is anticipated a formal bid is close to being made which is likely to bring the situation to a head.
Fernandes is understood to have an open mind about where he goes, with his agent Jorge Mendes speaking to both Premier League clubs.
It is not thought there is an immediate need for West Ham to sell the player to comply with financial regulations, although manager Nuno Espirito Santo knows there will have to be departures following relegation to the Championship.
Manchester United have been keen admirers of the 21-year-old and remain in talks with West Ham. However, it has appeared Spurs were more likely to reach the Hammers' asking price, thought to be about £80m.
The priority at Old Trafford is strengthening the central midfield area and they have already agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta for Ederson, but his arrival has been delayed by a late call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad.
United's players are due to return for pre-season training on 9 July and so far, other than out-of-contract duo Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia, Michael Carrick's squad remains as it was at the end of last season, with no significant departures or arrivals.
The plan to sell Manuel Ugarte will now have to be shelved after his serious injury on World Cup duty with Uruguay. Meanwhile, striker Joshua Zirkzee is still at the club, and sources have dismissed rumours around the exit of midfielder Mason Mount.
Devils' Advocate: 'I now believe' Audio, 24 minutes
Gaz and Joe hear from Amber Haque in Mexico City after England's epic win in the Azteca.
Devils' Advocate: 'It's time to move on' Audio, 22 minutes
Gaz and Jay discuss new stadium plans and why Mainoo should be starting for England.
Rashford: 'Now we want to go full throttle' Audio, 3 minutes
Marcus Rashford insists England will improve after topping Group L.
Cunha: 'Our coach gives us a lot of confidence' Audio, 1 minute
Man Utd's Matheus Cunha on scoring in Brazil's 3-0 win over Scotland at the World Cup.
