Barcelona are unsure whether to pay Manchester United the 30m euros (£21.1m) buyout clause to sign England forward Marcus Rashford, 28, on a permanent deal. (Marca - in Spanish), external
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MUFC Daily: Maguire to miss Chelsea game
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesUntil 15 June, the ball is in Barcelona's court regarding Marcus Rashford. That is the deadline they have to activate a clause which would allow them to turn his loan into a permanent deal for a fee of £26m.
Most expect it to happen, although Barca have given the impression of wanting to negotiate over the details, something Manchester United are unwilling to do.
However, the club also know if Rashford reverts back to being their player on 30 June when his Barca contract ends, he will instantly become one of their highest earners.
Numerous clubs are said to be keen on the forward, who is in line to be in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup finals this summer. United might think they can get a bigger fee from another suitor, but can they get a bigger fee and cover Rashford's wages? Not many clubs in Europe have Barca's status and global pulling power.
Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has complained before about the amount of money United are spending to subsidise the salaries of players currently at other clubs.
Even if Andre Onana and Rashford are not in that bracket currently, there is a possibility they might be if it is decided the pair have no future at Old Trafford.
As it stands, both players are said to be open to coming back if needed, while United don't want to address the issue publicly as they still have work to do to seal a Champions League return.
If they do, then the negotiations will start. It might not be easy.
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesIt has been notable how Ruben Amorim has virtually disappeared off the radar since his dismissal by Manchester United in January.
Other than being spotted watching tennis great Carlos Alcaraz at the Qatar Open in February, and more recently being pictured at a Padel Expo in Lisbon last month with Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana, who worked with him at Sporting, Amorim has kept a low profile and not spoken to the media about his time at Old Trafford.
The former Sporting boss did not post a message on social media following his dismissal and sources close to the 41-year-old say he has no plans to speak to the media any time soon.
Amorim has been linked with a return to management at Benfica, the club for which he made 154 appearances over a six-year period to 2015.
Jose Mourinho is currently in charge but, ahead of Sunday's derby clash with Sporting, Benfica sit third in the table with five games remaining and are in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification.
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesHarry Maguire's extended ban is not a surprise and would have been the concern for Michael Carrick as soon as Lisandro Martinez was sent off against Leeds.
With Martinez equally unlikely to get his red card against the Elland Road outfit overturned, it leaves Carrick with a major decision to make for Saturday's crucial trip to Chelsea.
The obvious move would be to pair Leny Yoro with Ayden Heaven. However, at 20 and 19 that would represent a very inexperienced pairing, even if Yoro did cost £52m and England Under-20 international Heaven is regarded as a central defender of immense promise.
However, Carrick does have alternatives at Stamford Bridge.
Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui both played as central defenders in Ruben Amorim's three-at-the-back system and have the experience Yoro, who was shaky against Leeds, and Heaven, who has made 14 Premier League appearances this season but is yet to start under Carrick, lack. Both could play in a two or three man central defensive formation.
Casemiro has played in central defence as an emergency but he is surely too valuable in midfield and while fellow midfielder Manuel Ugarte filled in on Monday once Martinez had gone off, it seems unlikely he will be asked to do the job from the start.
Tyler Fredericson was on the bench at Bournemouth and captained United's Under-21 side in their Premier League International Cup defeat by Real Madrid last week. However, he has just a two-minute substitute appearance at first-team level since starting the shock EFL Cup defeat to League Two Grimsby in August.
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Mason Mount has been the subject of several questions sent in via our Ask about Manchester United form recently, including one supporter who asked why the midfielder is struggling to get minutes under head coach Michael Carrick.
Carrick is copping a bit of flak for his substitutions - or rather lack of them - in Monday's 2-1 defeat by Leeds.
He did introduce Bryan Mbeumo and Diogo Dalot after 70 minutes, 14 minutes after Lisandro Martinez had been sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair, but after that there was nothing.
He had the option of adding Joshua Zirkzee and youngster Shea Lacey to his attack - and then there was the option of Mount.
The England international has now recovered from the knock that ruled him out for just over a month from the beginning of February.
Up until Christmas, Mount had become one of Ruben Amorim's key men, operating in one of those two number 10 slots behind a main striker. However, those positions do not exist under Carrick.
So far, the 27-year-old has managed just two single-minute substitute appearances under his new boss.
Carrick also spoke warmly about Mount before the Leeds fixture, which did not hint at any issue between the pair.
If we are being kind, it could be argued that having lost Martinez and with Manuel Ugarte playing in central defence, Carrick did not want to lose any more physicality by taking off Matheus Cunha - who was not that effective - or Benjamin Sesko - who was getting chances.
In addition, Casemiro had scored and taking Ugarte off would have meant playing three at the back, with Leny Yoro as the central element.
Neither of those options were ideal, but then again Manchester United were not in an ideal situation.
Mount heads back to his former club Chelsea on Saturday (20:00 BST) and he will be hoping he has more of a chance to make an impact at a ground he used to call home.
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Image source, PA MediaManchester United suffered a setback in their hopes of securing a return to the Champions League by losing 2-1 to rivals Leeds United on Monday, but they remain third in the Premier League and seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea with six matches remaining.
"Manchester United looked well off it," football reporter Rich Fay told BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast. "It was just so far below the expectations and demands that we've seen under Michael Carrick so far.
"It felt like we were watching Ruben Amorim's United again. There was no fight, no identity and everything bad we've seen of this club this season.
"I still think United could still sleepwalk to Champions League football and I still think they will get that, but it was a welcome reminder that you can't get too carried away."
United face Chelsea on Saturday and Fay thinks a win at Stamford Bridge will erase some of the memories of Monday's loss, adding: "The team talk is done for them - you can go and redeem yourselves at the end of the week and it's all forgiven.
"A win against Chelsea is a 'six-pointer' because they can't get maximum points and United would. If United beat one of Liverpool or Chelsea, I really think that's their place secured."
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Some of you have been using our Ask Me Anything about Manchester United form to query what's happening with Harry Amass.
The defender is not expected to play again this season despite closing in on a full recovery from a serious hamstring injury.
Amass suffered the injury just days into a loan spell with Norwich.
The full-back, who had an outstanding first half of the season at fellow Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, was recalled by United so he could continue his rehabilitation at the club's Carrington training ground.
Sources say Amass, 19, is training outside again.
However, a return to Norwich for the final four games of the league campaign has been ruled out and while Amass could, in theory, play for United's Under-21 side in the Premier League 2 play-offs, which are due to start next week, that is thought to be unlikely.
The anticipation is he will be available for the start of pre-season training in mid-July.
Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.
We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.
Manchester United are monitoring Bournemouth's French forward Junior Kroupi, 19, and Argentine defender Marcos Senesi, 28. (Mail - subscription needed, external)
Meanwhile, winger Jadon Sancho will have to accept a significant drop in wages if he wants to rejoin Borussia Dortmund when his Manchester United contract expires this summer. (Mirror, external)
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Image source, Getty ImagesTwo Premier League heavyweights are set to face each other this weekend at Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City host Arsenal.
Both teams go into the fixture with different targets. For Mikel Arteta's side, it is about extending their lead at the top of the table. For Pep Guardiola's side, it is about closing the gap and keeping themselves in the title race.
It is a fixture being labelled a title decider by some, so we want to know who you want to win this Sunday's match.
Will you be cheering on the Citizens or getting behind the Gunners?
Alex Turk
Fan writer
Image source, PA MediaManchester United need their first win of the run-in and fast. The longer this current rut continues, the more doubt surrounds Champions League football next season.
United are very nearly there. Three, or even two, wins from the final six Premier League matches should seal it. But Monday's 2-1 defeat by Leeds United at Old Trafford was a sickening wake-up call.
Leeds had not won a league game in M16 for 45 years. Their only Premier League away win all season was at Wolves. Yet, they played United off the park for the first hour.
Michael Carrick can't use the abnormal 24-day break as an excuse. His players looked like they hadn't played with each other for 24 years. And that is a major concern heading into a critical period.
Chelsea,Brentford and Liverpool are United's next three opponents. They sit sixth, seventh and fifth in the Premier League, all within eight points of the Red Devils. The term "make or break" is suitable here, I think.
A successful period would secure a return to Europe's elite competition. But if more bad results are on the horizon, United can kiss that dream goodbye.
Carrick's side would have had a 10-point lead on sixth-placed Chelsea had they beaten Leeds. That advantage will reduce to four points with another defeat at Stamford Bridge.
He has done a great job to propel United into third and the driver's seat for Champions League qualification. But Carrick is at risk of undoing his joyous return.
Anything but a win at Chelsea would make this current patch of form United's worst of the entire season. That is a worrying turn of momentum that may prove costly, in more ways than one.
There is no other option but to bounce back against Chelsea and compound on Liam Rosenior's recent woes with a timely win. I fear what the remainder of the campaign looks like if they do not.
Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external
Listen to a new episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast from BBC Radio Manchester, reflecting on Manchester United's 2-1 loss to Leeds in the Premier League on Monday.
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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAs frustrating as it can be for the media, who benefitted enormously from Ruben Amorim's rent-a-quote period in charge, his calmness and refusal to get flustered has been viewed as one of Michael Carrick's major strengths.
Yet when results do not go well, it can look like inaction.
Should he have made changes earlier? Should he have selected different players to start with? Can he cope with the pressure?
These are all questions that are asked after defeats, even if nothing much has changed from victorious days.
Carrick's Manchester United have to be viewed over a period of time.
It was unfortunate for the head coach that minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in the directors' box to hear the half-time booing, to witness a tepid opening period, and the failed rescue attempt.
The loss will sting. But not as much as if it is repeated at Stamford Bridge - somewhere Manchester United traditionally struggle for victories, right back to the 1960s, and have won only twice since 2002.
If it is, it will be one win in five and the gap to Chelsea will be down to four points and Champions League qualification will no longer be viewed as certain.
Carrick was bullish as he assessed the situation. Deep down, there must be some concern as well.
"Whatever happened tonight is not going to suddenly change my opinion on what we are as a team," he said.
"It is a big end to the season. We have done a lot of good things so far and the mentality and the character and the boys wanting to do well - I have never doubted that."
We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Leeds United.
Here are some of your comments:
Manchester United fans
David: Too many times Man Utd start games badly. A stupid sending off. Played well with 10 men and were unlucky not to get a draw. It is a worry that with Casemiro gone, where do midfield goals come from?
Neil: Can't believe how little respect Man Utd showed Leeds and how badly they underestimated a team fighting for their lives. Leeds should have had four in the first half and overpowered Man Utd.
Mark D: Terrible, no tempo to the play, the players start so slow. Surely the coach can see this and allows the opposition to get a foot in the game. Ironically, United started to play with pace when down to 10 men because they had to. Team selection and the use of subs were also baffling.
Steve: Carrick has failed the audition, too slow with changes again and not for the first time! Gone is the energy that started his spell... too slow and too predictable.
Leeds fans
Richard: So proud of every single player in that Leeds team. We battered Man Utd on their home turf, especially in the first half and could have been 3-0 or 4-0 up. We looked like the team third in the league. Massive three points and what a performance. Super Leeds.
Boris: Been a long time coming, and having a couple of dodgy refereeing decisions go our way, for a change, makes victory taste even sweeter. Farke has achieved a feat that Wilkinson, O'Leary and Bielsa never managed. Beating the old enemy on their own ground, and deservedly so.
Joe: Unbelievably proud! Every single one of the boys showed fight, desire and passion for the shirt. We'll remember this victory over our biggest rivals for such a long time. Let's keep ourselves humble, though, beat Wolves on Saturday and I think we'll be pretty much there. We deserve to stay in this league!
Philip: I was there at Old Trafford in 1981 as a 16-year-old as Brian Flynn scored. This is another match that no Leeds United fan will ever forget. We mashed 'em! Could have been five or more. Legends to a man in the white shirts.
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesOver the next 48 hours, Manchester United will find out whether Harry Maguire will receive an additional punishment for his red card at Bournemouth last month.
The defender was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association (FA) for something he said to fourth official Matt Donohue as he made his way off the field.
An additional suspension would rule him out of the Chelsea game on Saturday, which Matthijs de Ligt is almost certain to miss as he deals with a long-term back problem.
Lisandro Martinez will also miss out - in addition to home games against Brentford and Liverpool - after he was dismissed for violent conduct for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair in the second half of Monday's 2-1 defeat by Leeds United.
Michael Carrick has suggested the club will appeal against the red card. However, if they are not successful, his only available central defenders will be 19-year-old Ayden Heaven and 20-year-old Leny Yoro at Stamford Bridge.
"That's why we have a squad," countered Carrick. "We have got players that we can call upon. We will go there and look forward to the game.
"Hopefully Licha [Lisandro Martinez] is still available. I certainly think he should be after that [red card], but we will see."
Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesWe have been here before this season.
In January, Everton tried to get Michael Keane's dismissal overturned after he had tugged the hair of Wolves' Tolu Arokodare.
The Toffees were not successful and boss David Moyes said he was "angry" with the appeal panel and "embarrassed" for the video assistant referee Chris Kavanagh.
FA disciplinary panels, usually made up of three former players, are notoriously hard to predict. It really can depend upon which ex-players you get on your panel.
Manchester United will have to base their appeal on a lack of force in the action, because they cannot claim Lisandro Martinez did not have Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair in his grasp.
In Keane's case, it was a 2-1 vote to reject the appeal. The majority view was that it fell "outside the normal constituent elements of a challenge in football".
The other panel member said it was "an action born out of instinct and of minimal force".
However, Manchester United have nothing to lose because extra games for frivolous appeals were effectively ended 15 years ago when the fast-track system came in.
But Calvert-Lewin going down and holding the back of his head would have been key for the VAR review, and that will make it more difficult to win an appeal based on lack of force.
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesMichael Carrick seemed to be taking a chapter out of Sir Alex Ferguson's play book with his ferocious attack on the decisions that went against Manchester United last night.
Ferguson frequently targeted officials and their decisions after disappointing results.
The tactic has two purposes.
Firstly, it serves notice the officials are not going to get an easy time of it and perceived injustices will get called out.
I am sure Carrick genuinely thought Leny Yoro was impeded for the first Leeds goal and Lisandro Martinez was unjustly sent off in the second half.
But, almost of more importance, it deflects attention away from an overall performance, which last night, until Martinez's dismissal bizarrely, was poor from Manchester United.
Leeds were on the front foot from the first whistle, had two glorious chances to score in the first half beyond the two goals they did get, and fully deserved their success.
Carrick played down the impact of the 24-day gap between fixtures, although it would explain why his side were so sluggish.
The big question is how will they respond? They go to Chelsea on Saturday. A rare victory at Stamford Bridge, or even a draw, will keep them on track to claim a Champions League spot. Defeat – with home matches against Brentford and Liverpool to come – will leave Carrick's side in a precarious position.
Manchester United and Liverpool are keen on RB Leipzig captain David Raum having been impressed with the 27-year-old Germany left-back during scouting missions this season. (Teamtalk), external
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