Manchester United - News

Old Trafford: Manchester would become world's biggest football city, says Andy Burnham..

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Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is part of a task force looking into the redevelopment of the Old Trafford area

Manchester would become undoubtedly the biggest city in world football with the redevelopment of the Old Trafford area, mayor Andy Burnham says.

A taskforce, which includes Burnham, was announced this week to explore options for Old Trafford's future.

United hope to replicate the regeneration that the east side of Manchester has experienced since City moved into Etihad Stadium in 2003.

Burnham says "no city would come close" to Manchester.

"You could make an argument that this is the biggest city in world football [now] because of the two clubs we have got within it," Burnham told BBC Sport's Simon Stone.

"If the ambitious vision comes through, either refurbished or new build, there would be no doubt about that."

The taskforce, which deliberately does not include any club officials, will be led by Lord Coe.

Club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has expressed his preference to build an entirely new stadium adjacent to Manchester United's current Old Trafford Stadium, and council leaders have welcomed the club's plans to regenerate the area.

The taskforce will make its recommendations in the second half of 2024 but Burnham believes either option - a new stadium or a redevelopment - would put Manchester at the centre of world football.

"If on the west of Greater Manchester you have United at the heart of a new campus of facilities that links to Media City and the east of the city you have Manchester City, who continue to build out from the Etihad with a new massive indoor arena going in there, just think about that," added Burnham.

"No other city in the world would be set up in terms of its football infrastructure to Manchester. No-one would come close. This is why I will give this taskforce everything we've got to help because the benefits to our city-region are massive if we unlock them. It's not for show."

As part of Ratcliffe's preference to build a new stadium and regenerate the area, the 71-year-old said the club would have "conversations" with the government about funding.

"It is way too early [to discuss funding], we are not even there," added Burnham.

"What I have got to do as part of the taskforce in the next five or six months, working with Lord Coe and Gary [Neville] and others, is give all the supporting information to enable a decision - is it refurbished or is it new build?

"In either case there will be some requirement for public funds to be involved because of the train station and the big freight depot right behind Old Trafford, which is an issue as well and something we have got to look at.

"What we are talking about is a complex regeneration scheme that could be the biggest in the north of England in our lifetime, and why as mayor of Greater Manchester would I not want that?

"If I'm honest the more ambitious the club is the better it is for us, because then the benefits will come out to our residents for decades to come."

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Paris St-Germain are preparing an £80m bid for Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford, and would be willing to pay the 26-year-old about £500,000 a week.

Manchester United's recruitment team are touring Europe's biggest clubs before the transfer window in an effort to get an early start on this summer's squad rebuild.

United have made signing a centre-back top priority in the summer, with Juventus and Brazil defender Gleison Bremer, 26, high on their wishlist alongside Everton's 21-year-old defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

Manchester United want £43m for English forward Mason Greenwood, 22, who has spent the season on loan at Getafe in Spain. An unnamed club from Saudi Arabia has expressed an interest in signing Greenwood. 

Nice will demand a fee of 55m-60m euros (£47m-£51m) for 24-year-old France defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who is being targeted by Manchester United. 

Meanwhile, United are trying to bring former Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino, 27, back to England. The Spain international plays for Real Sociedad. 

Manchester United to face Real Betis in US friendly..by Simon Stone, Chief football news reporter.

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Manchester United will play La Liga outfit Real Betis in a pre-season friendly in San Diego on 31st July.

United have already confirmed matches against Arsenal and Liverpool as part of preparations for the 2024-25 season.

They played Betis in a warm-up game during last season's World Cup, then met them again in the Europa League.

And they played Wrexham last July in front of a sell-out crowd at the state-of-the-art Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

"We had a great experience during last year’s visit to San Diego and everyone at Manchester United is looking forward to returning to the Snapdragon Stadium and reconnecting with our passionate and loyal fans in the region," said football director John Murtough.

FA Cup quarter-finals: Former Coventry City defender David Busst on the injury that shocked football..By Neil Johnston, BBC Sport.

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David Busst is carried off on a stretcher at Old Trafford in April 1996. He did not play professional football again

"Dion Dublin was on his haunches with a gasped look on his face," recalls David Busst. "People told me Peter Schmeichel was physically sick on the pitch. I was lying there thinking 'somebody help me'."

It's the business end of the 1995-96 season. Having trailed Newcastle United by 12 points, Manchester United are on their way to a third Premier League title in four seasons.

Home supporters are in high spirits for the visit of struggling Coventry City but just 87 seconds after kick-off the mood inside Old Trafford changes.

The 50,332 fans fall silent after one of the most sickening injuries of the Premier League era.

A header by Coventry's Noel Whelan is parried by goalkeeper Schmeichel into the path of defender Busst at the far post.

"It landed perfectly for me inside the six-yard box," Busst tells BBC Sport. "I go for the ball and the next thing I'm lying flat on my back.

"I must have been in shock because I was in this enormous pain and I didn't want to move."

Schmeichel, who had saved Busst's attempt, could not bear to look and covered his face with his gloves after throwing the ball out of play so his stricken opponent could receive immediate treatment.

Busst's right leg had been shattered in an unintentional collision with United's Denis Irwin and Brian McClair, who were trying to prevent the shot.

McClair held his opponent's hand to comfort him as medical staff from both benches rushed on to the pitch.

Play was stopped for nine minutes so Busst, who had joined Coventry from non-league Moor Green four years earlier, could be carried away on a stretcher, while blood from his open wound was cleaned off the grass using water and sand.

Players from both sides were visibly shaken while Busst's father, John, and brother, Paul, were at Old Trafford and watched in horror as the drama unfolded.

"I couldn't hear 50,000 fans applauding me above the noise of my own screams," says Busst, who was 28 at the time.

He never played professional football again.

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David Busst required 22 operations after suffering a horrific broken leg, which punctured his skin, shedding blood on to the pitch

Twenty-eight years on from the injury which saw him suffer compound fractures to both the tibia and fibula, the scars on Busst's leg are a visible reminder of the awful events of 8 April 1996.

"Fans still come up to me and say 'I was at Old Trafford that day'," he says. "I get asked about it a lot on matchdays."

Graphic images of the horrific leg fracture, when Busst's leg bent back at a 90 degree-angle, appeared in newspapers around the world.

Yet it was not the injury that ended his career.

"I might have been back playing at some level if it had just been the fractures," Busst adds. " Sadly, I got MRSA through the open wound and that was my actual downfall."

In total, Busst had 22 operations over three years, including 10 in the 12 days after the game.

He even remembers a chilling discussion with senior doctors about amputating the damaged leg.

"I cannot stress how bad the infection was," he says. "The infection stopped anything from healing. That [amputation] was a real threat."

Busst had months and months of treatment, including six weeks in hospital in Manchester. There were operations to put pins in, operations to take them out, as well as skin grafts.

He was visited by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, captain Steve Bruce, as well as David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, while a testimonial at Highfield Road - Coventry's former home - 13 months after the injury attracted a sell-out 23,000 crowd and featured Eric Cantona and Paul Gascoigne.

Busst estimates he received 4,000 letters and cards from well-wishers around the world in the weeks and months after the injury.

"Take That had split up earlier the same year and people joked I received more letters than they did," he laughs.

"Seriously, in the dark days after the injury I would read the letters and they would help lift my spirits.

"I used to think about the injury all the time. Now it's less and less. My outlook on life is one of positivity. I'd rather have had five minutes of playing in the Premier League than not playing in the Premier League at all."

Although he never played professionally again, Busst's leg has healed sufficiently enough for him to kick a ball with his mates.

He keeps fit by making appearances for Leamington Veterans, an over-35s team which also features former Coventry striker Dele Adebola.

"That joy of playing football at any level is still in me. I find it easier to run than walk these days."

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"I was never the most gifted player," says David Busst. "I was quick for a centre-half and I'd stick my head and foot in where it hurt. I think certain managers liked that"

Despite the injury, Coventry City have remained a huge part of Busst's life.

Having taken up a role with the club's football in the community programme after his playing career was cut short, Busst, 56, has served the Sky Blues for more than half his life.

Championship club Coventry, who were playing in League Two as recently as 2018, missed out on a place in the Premier League after losing a penalty shootout against Luton at Wembley last May.

Despite that bitter disappointment, there is a feel-good factor sweeping the club under Mark Robins with the Sky Blues once again challenging for a place in the play-offs.

Average gates increased from 9,000 when Robins took charge for a second time in 2017 to just short of 25,000 this season.

"That doesn't happen overnight," adds Busst, head of Sky Blues in the Community.

It was Busst's community team that played a vital role in maintaining a presence in Coventry when the club played home games 20 miles away at Birmingham City due to a dispute.

Now back in their city, the Sky Blues - FA Cup winners in 1987 - are making strides on and off the pitch.

Not only do they sit eighth in the Championship, they face Premier League Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday for a semi-final place.

"Coventry have been such an unbelievable support for me," adds Busst. "I can never thank the club and the fans enough for how they helped me rebuild my life."


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SUNDAY 17th MARCH 2024 - THE FA CUP - QUARTER-FINALS

Manchester United v Liverpool - 3.30pm KO

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Rasmus Hojlund has scored in each of his past 7 appearances for Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes forward Rasmus Hojlund will be fit enough to feature against Liverpool in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final.

Hojlund had scored eight goals in eight matches before a muscle injury ruled him out of United's past four fixtures.

Defenders Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are also likely to return.

"We have, tomorrow [Saturday], one [training] session. We have to see how they recover from this, but it looks good," said Ten Hag.

The FA Cup is United's only hope of silverware this season. They are sixth in the Premier League, 17 points behind second-placed Liverpool.

"Some games are bigger than others, I think Manchester United against Liverpool is always a big game. I am looking forward to it," added Ten Hag.

"In such games, we always achieve good performances. I don't think in any really high-rated game that we had any lows. They are very consistent, we need our best to beat them."

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Bayern Munich's 27-year-old South Korea defender Kim Min-jae, a former Manchester United target, is unhappy with his current role at the German club.

Manchester United are unlikely to turn Sofyan Amrabat's loan move from Fiorentina into a permanent deal, but Juventus are interested in the Morocco midfielder 27.

Senior figures at Nice are prepared to block a move from Manchester United for France centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, 24.

England coach Gareth Southgate has told Manchester United's Mason Greenwood he will not be part of his Euro 2024 squad but has not ruled out a surprise recall the 22-year-old forward, who is currently on loan at Getafe, after this summer's tournament.

Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has rejected a number of offers to coach in Europe - because the ex-Netherlands international, 47, wants to manage in England.

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Marcus Rashford is set to snub a potential move to Paris St-Germain and stay at Manchester United. (Sun, external)

Liverpool have joined Arsenal and Manchester United in showing an interest in Borussia Dortmund's Netherlands winger Donyell Malen, 25.

West Ham boss David Moyes is planning a new bid for Manchester United centre-half Harry Maguire in the summer.

Atletico Madrid have enquired about a summer move for forward Mason Greenwood but Manchester United have set a £50m asking price.

Greenwood's Manchester United team-mates have backed him to play again for the Red Devils after his loan spell at Getafe.

Christian Eriksen will leave Manchester United at the end of the season if a suitable offer comes in for the 32-year-old midfielder.

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We asked for your thoughts on Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester United and Liverpool.

Here are some of your responses:

United fans

Randolph: A deserved win against Liverpool. The season full of injuries, but full of promise. Erik ten Hag is the right person for the job. Sir Alex Ferguson also had a bouncy start to his career at this club. It's always easy for the pundits to criticise - they all seem to forget that they also lost games and didn't always perform as they should've done.

Rod: Wow! I never thought we would win this, especially with the way we usually allow teams the space and possession to take advantage of our really soft underbelly. However, we showed spirit and the 'never say die' belief of old. Lo and behold, the FA Cup gods gave us the nod and we won! Come on United!

Mike: Manchester United were not great. We could and should have lost. We got through as Liverpool didn’t try to manage the game. They made a mistake for the third and left nobody back for the fourth. Keep the feet on the ground.

Ali: Much improved all round. McTominay inspired the team as he kept driving himself, and the team, at Liverpool. He has some engine in him. I hope he's not on the infamous transfer out list. He's a winner, he never gives in. Most of the players kept fighting. That Manchester United 'no surrender' reappeared. Rashford looked better. Well done, boys.

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Coventry City v Man Utd: FA Cup semi-final draw 'special' - Mark Robins..By Ged Scott and Clive Eakin, BBC Sport.

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Coventry City manager Mark Robins says drawing his old club Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final is "special" - but added that the achievement of getting there is special in itself.

Coventry have not made the last four since lifting the FA Cup in 1987, three years before Robins' late replay winner took Alex Ferguson's United to Wembley.

"To draw United is certainly special," Robins told BBC CWR.

"But to draw any one of those teams would have been special."

While United will play the Sky Blues of the Championship, two other former Champions League winners - Chelsea and holders Manchester City - will also meet at Wembley.

"If you look at the teams left, to be in the cup at this stage with the top clubs is an achievement in itself," added Robins.

The boyhood United fan and product of their youth system played a famous walk-on role in the club's glorious history.

Before his extra-time winner to beat Oldham Athletic 2-1 in the semi-final replay at Maine Road in April 1990, Robins had scored an even more crucial goal in the third round against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground three months earlier, when his late winner reportedly kept the then trophyless Ferguson in a job.

But, after seven years in charge of Coventry, Robins now only has eyes for the Sky Blues.

"I was there as a kid and came through there at United," he said. "But my loyalties are certainly now with Coventry City.

"It's at Wembley. It's a brilliant occasion. We've got to come up with a plan that's going to give us an opportunity to compete in the game and see where it takes us."

Robins has already taken the Sky Blues to Wembley three times - twice successfully, in the 2017 EFL Trophy final against Oxford United and then the following year's League Two play-off triumph against Exeter City, before their penalty shootout loss to Luton Town in the Championship play-off final in May 2023.

But United will obviously be their toughest assignment yet - and Robins said Sunday's 4-3 quarter-final victory over Liverpool showed just how powerful United still can be, even having suffered 16 defeats so far in all competitions in 2023-24.

"You saw them against Liverpool," he said. "You saw the quality of the players they have.

"The pace, the power and the quality they've got - if they can play like that and you give them space and time then they'll hurt anybody."

Mark Robins was talking to BBC CWR's Clive Eakin..

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Mark Robins came off the bench in both of Manchester United's two semi-finals against Oldham Athletic at Maine Road in April 1990...

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... and it was his 114th-minute semi-final replay winner that got him chaired off at Maine Road