Manchester

We asked you which thing at Manchester United hasn't been spoken about enough this week.

Here are some of your comments:

Swanny: Why is no mainstream media asking questions of who and why was Luke Shaw allowed to join up with and play for England in the Euros? He hadn't played since February for us, was clearly not fit, then rushed back to play by Southgate and now won't play until September at best. Is this pro-English bias at work?

Joe: No seems to be talking about is what happens if/when everyone is fit. The discussion is still about all the injuries, but when everyone is fit we will now have six defenders who will expect to start. Do we switch to a back three to accommodate both De Ligt and Yoro? Do we demote Dalot, last year's players' player of the season?

Phil: The lack of real killer instinct worries me. Being able to grind out 1-0 wins or come from behind to win are good traits, but this United team just don't seem capable of putting three, four or five goals past teams regularly. Do that a few times early on this season and other teams might actually start to fear playing against United again.

Mike: Nobody is talking about how the "new and improved" football structure managed to decide it was a great idea to extend Ten Hag's contract by a year. He was under contract until the end of the season, not leaving. Makes no sense to extend his contract after a very poor season - by all means extend mid-season if performs and nobody better - why now?

Phil: They never talk about the work in the community the club and the players do. Not just United, but all clubs. I think it's really important to remember the connection between clubs and their community. The Manchester United Foundation does tremendous unheralded work.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about Ilkay Gundogan, who looks likely to return to Manchester City after spending last season at Barcelona.

He said: "They [Barcelona] are letting Gundogan effectively leave for free, and he's thought the best place to be is to be back at Manchester City.

"He slots right back in. They've had a few injuries at Manchester City so it's a deal that's good for all parties.

"Man City wouldn't offer him a long enough contract [when he left in 2023], so he went and got a longer one at Barcelona but he's ended up back at Man City anyway.

"It looked like his career was away from Manchester City, but they've ended up realising they both need each other again."

Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign England defender Ben Chilwell by Chelsea after the 27-year-old was told he does not feature in boss Enzo Maresca's plans. (Talksport), external

Napoli director Giovanni Manna has returned to England to continue transfer talks for United midfielder Scott McTominay. (Gianluca di Marzio - in Italian), external

Meanwhile, Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign midfielder Manuel Ugarte, 23, from Paris St-Germain. (Sky Germany), external

However, PSG are not prepared to lower their £51m valuation of the Uruguay international. (Mirror), external

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

There is always so much noise at the start of the season and 2024-25 has been no different.

But when it comes to Manchester United, what is the one thing nobody is talking about - good or bad?

Tell us here, external

The Devils' Advocate podcast from BBC Radio Manchester looks back at Manchester United's win over Fulham in their opening game of the Premier League season, and whether United should try to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney before the transfer deadline next week.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri has joined Greek club Panathinaikos.

Pellistri played for Uruguay at the Copa America this summer and featured for United in their Community Shield defeat to Manchester City earlier this month.

Sources say Manchester United will receive a £5.1m fee for the 22-year-old, with up to £1.7m in possible additional payments.

Manchester United also have a buy-back option for three years and they will receive 45% of any sell-on fee for the player.

Image source, Getty Images

Tom Heaton played 90 minutes for Manchester United's under-21 side on Tuesday in their EFL trophy game against Barnsley, which marked quite the change in surroundings to Berlin five weeks earlier at the Euro 2024 final.

The 38-year-old worked as a training goalkeeper with England throughout the summer and wanted to fine-tune his skills after two pre-season friendly appearances.

"I requested to play - I requested to the manager if he'd let me play in it," Heaton said, having admitted "last season I went too long without playing".

"I want to put myself in the mix so that, as and when required, I'm bang up to speed and bang ready.

"I think it's important that I maintain nights like this through the season for if and when the opportunity comes."

Heaton was the biggest name at Oakwell but Jack Fletcher - the 17-year-old son of former midfielder Darren - took the headlines with an outrageous equaliser off the bench before firing United to victory.

"I played with Fletch for a long time," Heaton said. "I started with Fletch from sort of 14, 15, so I had a long relationship with him, long time playing with him.

"So, to play with his lad Jack tonight - both of his lads (Jack and Tyler), actually, at certain points - is a bit surreal. But I think he's got fantastic potential, a fantastic attitude. The two of them are real good lads."

Speaking about Jack, Heaton said: "It is a big night for him. To come on and deliver that, what he did, made a big impact on the game.

"He's certainly the stand-out performer from tonight, and hopefully that will give him a real good foundation to kick on from. But there's some real good performances in there beyond that as well.

"I think everything's looking rosy through the club at the minute."