Manchester United

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Earlier, we asked you to identify the former Manchester United player from their Premier League statistics playing for the club.

The correct answer was Louis Saha.

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Manchester United coach Darren Fletcher has received an extended three-match touchline ban and been fined £7,500 for misconduct against Brentford on Saturday 19 October.

Fletcher is alleged to have acted in an "improper and/or confrontational manner" and used "abusive and/or insulting words" towards the match officials during the Premier League victory at Old Trafford.

United were furious following Brentford's opener from Ethan Pinnock, which came after home defender Matthijs de Ligt was forced to leave the field for a third time to deal with a cut on his head.

Former midfielder Fletcher admitted to this misconduct but has denied that he was abusive with BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone saying United plan to appeal.

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Leicester City (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He hopes Amad Diallo will be available to face the Foxes, while Kobbie Mainoo is "making the right steps" in his recovery from injury but is "not yet with the team".

• Van Nistelrooy added that it was "good" that left-back Luke Shaw and fellow defender Leny Yoro are back in training after long-term injuries.

• Sunday's match will be Van Nistelrooy's fourth and final one in caretaker charge before Ruben Amorim takes over on Monday. He said: "It has been a special period and it was important to get through the four games as well as we could. We've done very well so far - the players reacted very well in the games. The focus is now to build on that and show that on Sunday with a big game ahead and a massive three points there to win."

• Asked if it will be his "second farewell" from the club, with his future at Old Trafford still unclear, Van Nistelrooy said: "There's not much more news from yesterday evening. Ruben and I are both focusing on our teams and our games."

• On how he has felt during his time as interim boss: "I've enjoyed it. The reaction of the players was outstanding. As an assistant you are quite close to players, so in the past three months I've spent a lot of time with the players and got to know them very well as human beings and also as football players, where they are in their development and how I can help. I think that relationship is helping now that we are together and we want to achieve something together."

• He continued: "That bond is there. I feel very supported so that gives a lot of energy, and the support of the fans obviously was amazing. That also gives lots of confidence and energy."

• On whether being in charge has given him the appetite to be a manager again: "The appetite to build further within this club is stronger than the other bit [being a manager himself]. I made a deliberate decision to step into this role for two seasons and take it from there. These four games haven't changed that sentiment and that's why I said at the beginning what my intentions were - also after my interim job."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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The Old Trafford Regeneration project team is launching a survey among local residents next week over its plans for the area.

The news comes in the wake of confirmation that discussions around a potential new stadium for Manchester United will not be completed until 2025.

It had initially been stated the future direction of United’s plans would be clarified by the end of this year.

After the majority of fans who responded to a club survey said they preferred a new stadium to United remaining at a revamped Old Trafford, residents in the area will be now asked for their thoughts on how the wider plans should look.

The survey will be launched on 13 November and run to 23:59 GMT on 4 December, with all responses remaining anonymous.

United say they intend to host open days at Old Trafford in December "for the local community to attend and hear more about the project and provide their ideas in person".

The project team is a partnership between United, Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

"It is critical we hear from as many residents and community members as possible during this process to ensure we can capture all their views and as we start to shape the plans for the regeneration of the area around the stadium,” said Trafford Council leader Tom Ross.

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Joe Smith from the Stretford Paddock says Ruud van Nistelrooy has brought stability to Manchester United, which will allow Ruben Amorim to "almost come in to a clean slate."

"The performances are not that much different but there is that five per cent difference as we are them seeing score goals when they weren't under Erik ten Hag," Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "Van Nistelrooy has done a great job at steadying the ship and making us look like a team again.

"There are some decent players but our forward line, other than Marcus Rashford, have never scored more than 20 goals in a season which is a bit of a worry.

"Rasmus Hojlund has got a lot going for him, he is quick, strong and a good finisher, yet he will have games where he is not involved at all. Maybe that is because Alejandro Garnacho and Rashford are not giving him the right balls, but the top strikers do always find a way to get the ball in the back of the net.

"He needs a bit of confidence because he is only young. Amorim has worked really well with Viktor Gyokeres and they are very similar, so hopefully he can start to get the best out of Hojlund."

Guess the former Manchester United player from their Premier League statistics at the club:

• Years at club: 2004-2008

• National team: France

• Position: Striker

• Appearances: 86

• Goals: 28

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

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We asked for your views on Manchester United's Europa League win over PAOK.

Here are some of your comments:

Adam: There was more of a hunger to get the victory. Still a bit sloppy at times and motivation dipped slightly, but that’s from two years of mismanagement. Ruud van Nistelrooy has done a fantastic job of rallying the troops, as seen against Leicester and tonight.

Tom: Flat and boring first half coupled with sloppy play and little or no penetration. Second period was more controlled with periods of flair and attacking knowhow, and of course Amad with his two wonderful goals. A special mention to Ruud van Nistelrooy for his passion for Man Utd and his relaxed, controlled input to the team.

Adam: Much better performance and the players are more hungry. We are still lacking a class striker to score goals and relying on the midfield far too much. Bit it was a great game from the captain. Good use of subs.

John: United are totally unable to string 10 passes together, which underpins the fact they are a group of individuals rather than a team. They are not that good in terms of their individual capabilities too. New manager has a mountain to climb.

Chris: I didn’t think it was a great display. United gave the ball away too easily for me and weren’t positive enough. Saying that, they won and it was much needed.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United’s Europa League matchwinner Amad Diallo is keen to extend his stay at the club. His current deal expires in the summer, although United do have an option to extend that contract for an additional year.

The Ivorian said in the summer his aim was to remain at Old Trafford and clearly nothing has changed after his double against Greek champions PAOK gave United their first Europa League win over the season and their first victory in continental competition for 12 months.

"I’m happy to be here, happy to play for this club and yes, I want to stay here for a long time and make history here," Amad said.

Talks have been taking place over an extension with an expectation Amad will sign a new deal that will run to 2027.

His efforts were much needed against PAOK and transformed what interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy described as a disappointing first-half performance into a winning one in the second.

For Amad, it was the perfect way to answer a frustrating month where he has failed to start a game.

"I always do my best, even when I am not starting,” he said. “Everyone wants to play but I just try to stay focused. I was (United) player of the month in August but now I have moved on and am focused on the future."

The impending arrival of Ruben Amorim from Sporting offers Amad a fresh chance to impress, even if United’s new head coach does not tend to use orthodox wide players.

Amad is not on his own in being unclear what role will be demanded of him by Amorim. But he is looking forward to the challenge.

"I am excited to have him in this team and I can’t wait to work with him," he said.

Manchester United will rival Juventus, Liverpool and Arsenal for 24-year-old Lille striker Jonathan David. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian), external

United are also set to reignite their interest in £70m-rated Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, with the Merseyside club unable to afford a new contract for the 22-year-old England international. (Mail - subscription required), external

Finally, United are also targeting 17-year-old Sporting forward Geovany Quenda, who is also on the radar of Manchester City and Liverpool. Premier League rivals Arsenal have held talks with Quenda's agents. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Looking at the game around the 65-to-70 minute mark, I thought to myself - why have United fallen back and giving PAOK all the space to play?

"But the goal from Diallo came at the right time, it does feel like there was a different feel, a different energy and a bit more freedom.

"There is still a lack of quality in the final third, but eventually they kept going and Diallo got the goal.

"It's almost as if you can start to enjoy watching Manchester United again.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy has used his time well to address the players.

"It was clear Ruben Amorim was coming in, but he has said, "I have four games with you guys and we need to fix those things".

"He has done a great job."

On goalscorer Amad Diallo: "Diallo was by far the best man.

"The first goal, brilliant header, a very clever header.

"But I was more impressed with the second goal. He made that goal with his tenacity, pressing to win the ball back and then to dribble inside and have a fantastic finish.

"For a player who has not started a lot of the games, he was magnificent."

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Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, speaking to TNT Sports: "It was a pretty poor first half if I'm being nice. The second half way was better. That was clear."

On Amad Diallo: "He made a difference today, because of his goals but he was very sharp. Well done to him, good game. Positionally we weren't good in the first half. We were much better at that in the second half.

"He has been incredible in training, he always trains well and is asking me to do more."

On Rasmus Hojlund: "It didn't happen enough for him. In the second half we were better in positions but some of the crosses didn't come for him.

"I said to the lads before the game that it was a year ago since the last European win at Old Trafford. We couldn't believe. It was time to turn it around, build and change. It's a big period at the club."

On one final game in charge on Sunday: "For me it was important to get results. I can only be happy with the performance that the players put in.

"I enjoy it but Sunday is another one and I'm so focused on doing that so I'm not thinking of what is next."

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Manchester United goalscorer Amad Diallo, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's been a long time since we won in Europe. Today we showed why we are one of the best teams. It was important to win today.

"It is important to score every time. This season I have been unlucky so I am happy to score two today. But the most important thing was to win.

"I like to celebrate with the fans and make people happy."

On winning the ball back for his second goal: "It came from work we did in the training. we have to press the opposing team."

On interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy: "Since he has arrived at Manchester United he has been very important for everyone."

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No player has assisted more goals in Europa League history than Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes (16 - level with Borek Dockal).

In facts, since his European debut for Sporting in September 2017, the Portugal international has recorded more assists in major European competition than any other player (26).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on the match, external

Come back to this page on Friday for a selection of replies

Three Premier League clubs are in action as part of Thursday's schedule of games in the Europa League and Conference League.

Europa League

• Galatasaray v Tottenham (17:45)

• Manchester United v PAOK (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Conference League

• Chelsea v Noah (20:00)

All kick-off times GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction

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Ruud van Nistelrooy says a "sense of excitement" is building at Manchester United around the arrival of Ruben Amorim, but it is his "continued privilege" to take charge of the side.

The interim boss has two more games at the helm - against PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester in the Premier League - before incoming head coach Amorim begins his new role on 11 November.

United have won once and drawn once since Van Nistelrooy stepped up from his position as assistant coach following Erik ten Hag's sacking, but there are question marks over his future at Old Trafford after this weekend.

"There is a sense of excitement around the club as we prepare to welcome Ruben Amorim next week," Van Nistelrooy said in the matchday programme for Thursday's game.

"Until then it will be my continued privilege to manage the team. In my two games so far I have felt a lot of love from the stands. I know how much energy this gives me and the players, so we need to keep this connection going.

"If we all keep pulling together and reaching for our highest levels in every game, we will move in the right direction - I am certain of that."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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The next move of Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is a big talking point in football.

His hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday cemented the 26-year-old’s reputation as one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe and took his overall tally for the season to 23 in 17 games.

Gyokeres, who has nine goals in his past three matches alone, has also scored 10 for the Sweden national team.

According to BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone, Sporting could allow Gyokeres to leave the club for less than his €100m (£83.16m) release clause this summer.

He says the reigning Primeira Liga champions have told the forward's camp they would be willing to accept between €75m-€85m (£62.37m-£70.68m) for the player.

Gyokeres' contract runs to 2028 and contains his release clause with Championship side Coventry City set to receive 10% of any profit Sporting receive above the price they paid for Gyokeres.

However, the drop in price will likely alert England’s top clubs, including Manchester United given current Sporting boss Ruben Amorim will join them as their new head coach next week.

Amorim has promised not to return to his former club for transfer targets in January. Speaking about Gyokeres, Amorim said the issue was so sensitive he would "not even make a joke about it".

Incidentally, it was Dan Ashworth - the current sporting director of United - that sold Gyokeres to Coventry for just £1m in 2021 from former club Brighton.

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Ruben Amorim carries a certain amount of weight to his name so it is hugely positive for Manchester United that they have brought him in.

We have heard a lot about how he is one of the most exciting managers around at the moment in football and that led him to be linked to Liverpool in the summer.

As a young manager, he could play a real part in building a future team that can be winning Premier League titles again.

It seems very unlikely that success will come this season but there is no reason why it cannot happen in seasons to come. A lot of things will have to change moving forward as he is arriving at a team that are struggling, but on paper they do have more talent than his Sporting Lisbon side.

He will also have to adapt to a more competitive league but he has the mindset and ideas. People who have met him say he is very impressive, so for United it could end up being a very good appointment.

Amorim will also be very different to Erik ten Hag. He will be more open and honest in interviews about performances and that will help get the media and fans onside because so many people disliked Ten Hag's interviews.

On the pitch, he is set to make them more defensively solid and also bring an exciting style of play to Old Trafford that should lead to a lot more goals.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford