United would look at Eddie Howe if Carrick goes
Eddie Howe is the name United would consider if they make a change in the dugout. Michael Carrick has survived the international break despite a rough start to the season, which included a League Cup exit (9).
The line from the reporting: Howe "is held in high regard across the Premier League and has plenty of admirers at Old Trafford" (9).
United sit 12th after five games, on five points, with a goal difference of zero. That is the context behind the noise. You lost 0–1 at home to Manchester City on September 13 and drew 1–1 at Fulham on September 20 (9).
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Yoro was France's best player on debut
Leny Yoro made his senior France debut on Monday night and France beat Belgium 4–1 in the Nations League. He was not a passenger (2) (5) (13).
Zinedine Zidane on him: "There's a lot of competition for that position, so when we lost Ibrahima Konaté, we immediately wanted to bring in Leny. I'm happy for him because he had a great game. He played his role well" (5).
Yoro's own take: "I don't think I could have asked for anything better. A home match against Belgium, with my family there. It was a really great game, too. Of course, we would have hoped for a clean sheet, but we got the win, so we're not going to complain. It was amazing" (2).
The numbers back it up: 96 touches, joint-most defensive contributions with 11, 100% of duels won, 93% passing, six clearances (2).
Bruno's new deal is still not done
There is still no agreement on a new contract for Bruno Fernandes. Fabrizio Romano on the situation: "There is still no agreement. At the moment, I don't think it's time to be worried yet for Man Utd fans because there is still plenty of time. It's still early October, so they have few months to sort the situation" (1).
One factor: Marcus Rashford's reintegration has complicated the wage structure (1). Luke Shaw, Harry Amass and Lisandro Martinez are also part of the contract picture (1).
Fernandes has told INEOS he wants to stay (10).
JJ Gabriel is 16 now, and the clock is running
JJ Gabriel turned 16 on Tuesday, and that is the age that unlocks his exit from Carrington. A free transfer in January is planned and possible (3) (4).
Florian Plettenberg: "JJ Gabriel, Manchester United's 15 y/o gem who turns 16 tomorrow, is set to receive a Cypriot passport in the near future, if all goes to plan. A free transfer in January is planned and therefore possible. #MUFC Real Madrid and Barcelona are currently very concrete" (3).
PSG have stepped up their pursuit, and Bayern Munich have intensified contact (11). Reportedly he is receptive to the Paris project (11).
Olmo sounded out, Anderson in a hypothetical
Intermediaries have approached United, along with four English clubs, over Barcelona's Dani Olmo (8). He is 28 and the winter window is the backdrop (8).
Elliot Anderson, currently at Manchester City, is the other name. Mick Brown: "Manchester United are in pole position to lure Elliot Anderson away from Manchester City if they are kicked out of the Premier League" (12). That is a conditional, nothing more.
Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday
Tottenham come to Old Trafford on Saturday, 18:30 CEST. They may have Jan Paul van Hecke available. He has not yet been ruled out of the trip (6).
Micky van de Ven is the other Tottenham centre-back in the picture (6).
After that, Atlético Madrid away in the Champions League on Tuesday, October 13, then Leeds United away on Sunday, October 18.
Fan reactions
The mood on r/reddevils is a mix of pride and frustration. Yoro's France debut has the sub buzzing, with the 96 touches and 11 defensive contributions held up as proof United already have the centre-back. The Yoro thread did the rounds all day.
The other thread doing numbers is the JJ Gabriel saga, where the tone is resignation more than anger. That one is here.
