Manchester United’s chief executive officer Omar Berrada has released a statement to accompany the club’s full-year financial results.
Berrada assumed the role in July and has reiterated the clear objective is to return the club to the top of European football, while also referencing the ongoing work to develop and renovate Carrington.
There is also a recognition of the part played by supporters in ensuring United can pursue more silverware, to follow the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup triumphs in the past two seasons for Erik ten Hag’s side and the women’s Adobe FA Cup victory last summer.
Old Trafford to drive regeneration of area
“It has been a busy off season for the club with successful training camps for both our men’s and women’s teams,” said Berrada. “We have strengthened our men’s first team with five exciting players and put a new football leadership structure in place to provide a greater support to our manager, Erik ten Hag.
“Dan Ashworth was appointed sporting director and Jason Wilcox joined us as technical director, two extremely experienced and highly regarded professionals, who will add great depth to our team. We have added six players to our women’s team and are investing to ensure all of our teams have access to world-class training facilities at a fully renovated Carrington.
“We are also delighted to have extended our principal partnership with Snapdragon, after an excellent start, for a further two years, in addition to the initial three-year term.
“As I embark on my new role as chief executive officer of this historic club, we are all extremely focused on working collectively to create a bright future, with football success at the heart of it.
“We are working towards greater financial sustainability and making changes to our operations to make them more efficient, to ensure we are directing our resources to enhancing on-pitch performance.
“Today, we announce new guidance for fiscal 2025, which reflects a partial year impact of the transformative cost-savings and organisational changes that we have been busy implementing over the summer.
“Ultimately, the strength of Manchester United is driven by the passion and loyalty of our supporters. Our clear objective is to return the club to the top of European football. Everyone at the club is aligned on a clear strategy to deliver sustained success, both on and off the pitch, for the ultimate benefit of our fans, shareholders and hugely diverse range of stakeholders.”
United’s Hannah Blundell announces pregnancy
Manchester United Women defender Hannah Blundell has today shared the special news that she is pregnant.
As a result, Hannah will not play in 2024/25 but is looking forward to cheering on her team-mates from the sidelines, once United’s new campaign gets under way later this month.
Hannah has something to tell you
Blundell revealed the news to club media and provided us all with an update on how she is feeling during a conversation that you can watch above.
“I’ve got some good and bad news,” she begins. “The bad news is that I’m out for the season, but the good news is that I’m pregnant.
“I’m really happy, my family is really happy. It’s great news for myself and my family, and something I wanted to share with the girls, the club, the fans and I’ve finally been able to do that.”
Hannah was in the final 12 months of her contract at United, but also shares that an option to extend her terms by a year has been exercised.
“The staff at the club have been really good,” Hannah adds. “Matt [Johnson, United’s interim head of women’s football] spoke to me and straight away asked how I was doing.
“Some more positive news on that is they’ve triggered my option for next year, so thankfully I haven’t got to worry about where I’m going to be.”
In the interview, Hannah also expresses how difficult it has been to keep the news from her team-mates, who she is incredibly close with as a popular member of the dressing room.
Our no.6 has now announced it to her peers, and gave us an insight into the reaction in the dressing room, saying: “I told them this morning, and they’ve been fantastic. It’s been hard hiding it from them for so long, I did think some of the girls would clock at some point, but they’ve been absolutely fantastic.
“Really supportive, really happy for me. I’m just glad that they finally know, and now the fans know as well. I’ll be part of the fan base now, and the number-one supporter for the club.”
Everyone at United would like to wish Hannah and family a huge congratulations on her special news!
Early team news for Southampton trip
With the international break drawing to a close for many Manchester United players, all eyes now turn to our Premier League clash with Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
Russell Martin’s side will welcome us to St Mary’s Stadium with ambitions of putting their first points on the board after a difficult return to England’s top tier, with the Reds equally charged up to put a tough Liverpool defeat behind us.
Hopefully, the United players representing their nations across the world have escaped relatively unscathed, but any further updates on availability will likely be delivered by Erik ten Hag in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
Here’s everything we currently know about both sides…
How to watch and follow Southampton v United
UNITED TEAM NEWS
Of the Reds currently in the treatment room, updates on Rasmus Hojlund, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw will be the most keenly anticipated by supporters as they could be nearing a return, despite missing international action with their respective nations.
Shaw is yet to appear in a United line-up so far this season, unfortunately picking up a fresh injury before the start of the season, but has been working towards a comeback after the international break.
Ten Hag also previously confirmed Hojlund’s progress was to be monitored, but stopped short of identifying which game he was targeting for the striker’s first outing of 2024/25. An update on those two, and Lindelof, could be forthcoming in the press conference. It’s expected that this game will come too quickly for Mason Mount and fellow absentees Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia.
There were fears that Reds captain Bruno Fernandes had picked up a knock in Portugal’s last-gasp victory over Scotland. The midfielder was seen in some discomfort towards the end of the game, but confirmed in a post-match interview that it was “just a little bump”.
The south-coast clash could also be where fans catch their first glimpse of new summer signing Manuel Ugarte, who missed the Liverpool game due to his registration not being processed in time. The midfielder has, however, been away with Uruguay for the international break and faces lengthy midweek travel back to England, so it remains to be seen whether he is ready in time for Saturday’s early kick-off.
Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho have also been in South America and Amad was in Chad on Tuesday with Ivory Coast.
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SOUTHAMPTON’S TEAM NEWS
Updates could also be forthcoming from Southampton boss Russell Martin before Saturday’s game, with the Saints anticipating the return of forward duo Ross Stewart and Kamaldeen Sulemana in the near future.
Stewart has not turned out for Martin’s side since the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final against West Brom. Sulemana picked up his issue in a pre-season friendly against Oxford United, meaning he has missed the opening three games of the Premier League season.
Speaking to local press near the start of the campaign, Martin was hopeful of seeing the pair return towards the end of August. That target was missed, but the additional time allowed due to the international break means that they could be ready for action this Saturday.
As with Ten Hag, any further squad updates are likely to be provided by Martin in his press conference later this week, as he has several new additions who come into the frame.
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HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW
The action is being broadcast live from St Mary’s Stadium by TNT Sports in the UK, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 BST.
You can also join us on MUTV, in the United App and on ManUtd.com from 11:25 BST for exclusive pre-match interviews and analysis.
We’ll then have live radio commentary throughout the game, along with updates, opinion and interactive content across the app and website. Stay with us across our channels after the final whistle for post-match reaction, as we look through the afternoon’s key moments.
Those pivotal events will then be available to watch with short match highlights at 17:15 BST, before the extended 90 in 20 and Full 90 cuts follow on Sunday.
How to watch and follow Southampton v United
Manchester United return to Premier League action this Saturday lunchtime, as we travel to St Mary’s Stadium to take on Southampton (12:30 BST kick-off).
The Reds are looking to get back to winning ways, following back-to-back defeats against Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool.
This is a great ground on which to do just that, as we’re unbeaten in our last 15 visits to the Saints’ home, a run which dates back to 2003.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the game…
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HOW CAN I WATCH THE GAME?
The south-coast clash is being broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK, while you can watch build-up on MUTV, available via ManUtd.com and in the United App, from 11:25 BST.
Our coverage includes exclusive opinion, interviews and stats, with radio commentary being provided over the course of the full 90 minutes. Following the full-time whistle, the app and our website remain the primary destination for post-match analysis and reaction.
Highlights will be available to watch on our platforms from 17:15 BST on Saturday, with 90 in 20 and Full 90 versions following on Sunday.
WHAT’S THE TEAM NEWS?
Could Saturday be the day we see Manuel Ugarte make his United bow? The Uruguayan signed too late to be involved in the meeting with Liverpool prior to the international break, but he should be available for this game having played twice for the South Americans over the last fortnight.
Another big talking point will be Rasmus Hojlund, who was back on the grass prior to the break as he bids to make a return from the injury he suffered during pre-season.
Mason Mount and Leny Yoro are set to be sidelined still, while there have been no recent updates on left-backs Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw, as both still await a first appearance of 2024/25.
The home side are without long-term absentee Gavin Bazunu – the goalkeeper suffered an Achilles injury at Preston North End in April and is expected to be missing until the new year. Ross Stewart and Kamaldeen Sulemana are nearing returns following their own significant spells on the sidelines.
Watch Ugarte’s signing interview
OPPOSITION ANALYSIS
Southampton regained their Premier League status at the first time of asking, following relegation in 2023, as they beat Leeds United 1-0 in May’s Championship play-off final.
Manager Russell Martin is known for his positive, possession-orientated style of play but it’s been a tough reintroduction to the top-flight for the Saints, who are one of only two teams – Everton are the other – yet to win a point from their opening three fixtures.
“We’re going to stick with what we’re doing,” said Martin, after their most recent outing – the 3-1 reverse at Brentford. “In five years of my career, it’s got me this far. I will live and die by the sword, I know that, but I’d much rather do it this way and actually enjoy some of the moments the team gives me.”
There’s been plenty of change in terms of personnel over the summer, with Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong among the most high-profile departures. Adam Lallana has returned to the club, 10 years after leaving for Liverpool, while Flynn Downes, Ryan Fraser and Taylor Harwood-Bellis have had their loan deals made permanent.
Aaron Ramsdale and Ben Brereton Diaz add proven Premier League quality at either end of the pitch, having arrived by way of Arsenal and Villarreal respectively, and Lesley Ugochukwu is an exciting loan addition from Chelsea.
DID YOU KNOW?
United have only lost at St Mary’s once, since the stadium was opened in 2001. James Beattie’s late goal settled the meeting in August 2003, but since then we’ve always travelled back north with at least a point (10 wins, five draws).
This is our fourth league match of the season and we also visited Southampton for game no.4 of the 2019/20 and 2022/23 campaigns. Dan James was on the scoresheet for the first, in a 1-1 draw, while Bruno Fernandes scored the only goal on our last St Mary’s sojourn, two years ago.
Don’t panic if we concede first. According to Opta, Manchester United have come from behind to beat Southampton in 10 different Premier League games – only Liverpool have more comeback wins against a single opponent in the competition’s history (11 v Newcastle United).
Highlights: Southampton 2 United 3
RIVALS WATCH
Here’s what the full slate looks like in the Premier League this weekend…
SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
Southampton v United (12:30 BST)
Brighton v Ipswich
Crystal Palace v Leicester
Fulham v West Ham
Liverpool v Nottingham Forest
Manchester City v Brentford
Aston Villa v Everton (17:30 BST)
Bournemouth v Chelsea (20:00 BST)
SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
Tottenham v Arsenal (14:00 BST)
Wolves v Newcastle (16:30 BST)
All kick-offs 15:00 BST unless stated.
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