Manchester

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone is answering your Manchester United questions.

Jason asked: Jurgen Klopp is available - could Manchester United bring him out of retirement?

Simon replied: Hiya Jason. Is this a serious question? There is an absolutely legitimate argument about why United didn’t work harder to get Klopp when he was at Borussia Dortmund because he always struck me as having the perfect personality to be a Manchester United manager, which is a tough job for anyone.

However, he went to Liverpool, one of the greatest clubs in the world, and built his legacy in English football there. Why would he risk his reputation as a manager and destroy it as a club legend by moving to Old Trafford?

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Manchester United's 3-3 draw with Porto in the Europa League as Harry Maguire's stoppage-time header rescued a point for Erik ten Hag's side.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: I have been a Man Utd supporter since 1960. Whatever the results tonight and Sunday, Ten Hag must go . The criticisms levelled at the team's performances are so damning that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has no option. Many of the players are to blame but only a new coach can bring some degree of consistency.

Mark: Was Bruno Fernandes so disappointed that his red card against Spurs was rescinded he had to get another? As the captain, he’s supposed to set an example and be an inspiration, not a liability.

Andy: Dreadful United team full of overpriced and overrated players Ten Hag has bought.

Steven: Never mind a rescued point. How many goals' head start do they need? Simply can't defend and no excuse. It's a lucky draw from a commanding position. Dire.

Des: Hopefully defeat by Aston Villa will be the final straw for Ten Hag. Tactically clueless. Clearly is a poor motivator of players. Chronically poor performance yet again with only a great header by Maguire at the end making for a slightly less embarrassing humiliation than it would have been.

Richie: The final throw of the dice this weekend for Ten Hag.

Throughout Friday morning, our chief football news reporter and Manchester United expert Simon Stone is answering your questions.

Head over to our live news page to submit yours and see what he has to say.

Manchester United's 3-3 draw with Porto dominates the back pages of Friday's newspapers.

Defender Harry Maguire's late equaliser gets manager Erik ten Hag "out of jail" but the pressure continues to mount on the United boss.

Image source, Daily Telegraph

Image source, Daily Mail

Image source, Daily Star

Norway striker Erling Haaland is set to sign a new contract with Manchester City, but the 24-year-old wants a £100m release clause added into his deal. (Teamtalk), external

Barcelona are making the signing of Haaland their priority in the 2025 summer transfer window. (SPORT - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Thomas Tuchel and Massimiliano Allegri feature high on Manchester United's shortlist, as they consider sacking manager Erik ten Hag. (Teamtalk), external

Meanwhile, United are preparing a bid of about £34m for 25-year-old Benfica and Turkey winger Kerem Akturkoglu. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Barcelona and Juventus are monitoring the situation of 20-year-old Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, with Manchester United believed to value the player at £50m. (Sun), external

Finally, Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be in attendance for Manchester United's Premier League game at Aston Villa on Sunday, as speculation over manager Erik ten Hag's future increases. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Ogden, Senior writer for ESPN, reacting to Manchester United's draw with Porto on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It is hard to say he [Ten Hag] put on Harry Maguire to score a goal? It rolled for Erik ten Hag tonight - he got lucky.

"When we have a bit of reflection on this - it was basketball style.

"Did he take off Matthijs de Ligt and Leandro Martinez to save them for Aston Villa? They looked miles off it.

"If you want to have a positive spin on things then it shows Manchester United's players are fighting for the cause and are not giving up, but it depends how you want to look at it.

"Harry Maguire has been dropped from the England squad today and he has turned a bad day into a good one."

On Erik ten Hag's future: "I'll be surprised if he lost his job [after Aston Villa at the weekend], on the basis that the money is an issue.

"Manchester United are hoping he turns it round. He is obviously walking a tightrope."

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson added: "The question marks will get bigger.

"The international break will buy him time, but there is no natural replacement."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, speaking to TNT Sports: "We started the game very good, we dominated, scored two goals then we lost control.

"The start was good, the middle was not good, then we finished very good. It's a tough place to go, we're coming back from 3-2 and get the equaliser. The team has a strong character, but the middle part we have to improve.

"We need to be better on the ball, keep switching. We had good players, a good plan. We have to defend better. We had three clean sheets not a long time ago so we can defend very good, but we have to go back to those habits."

On Marcus Rashford coming off at half-time: "We have to rotate. Garnacho, we didn't start him, but he had a great game not only Sunday but the whole season. We go quickly with a turnaround to [Aston] Villa and they have had a day longer to recover and we have an away game."

On his job being under pressure: "We will get there. Don't judge us in this moment, judge us at the end of the season. We are in the process, we will improve. We have had two seasons where we have reached finals, we will continue and fight.

"You see the spirit and the connection between the staff and the team. The players are together, they have a strong spirit and they want to achieve. We have a good mentality but in some defending parts we have to step up."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United goalscorer Harry Maguire, speaking to TNT Sports: "After every game we analyse and speak among ourselves.

"The manager spoke, some members of staff spoke and the players spoke. When you get 2-0 away from home you have to be a little bit more solid and there were far too many gaps. Too many crosses were coming into the box for sure and they ultimately punished us for it.

"When you go 2-0 up and then concede, does the belief go a bit with the boys that we can go on and win? It's something we need to focus on. It's happening far too many times.

"Every time you concede you have to reset and go back to the game plan which got us in the lead. It's something we need to improve. If we want to be successful this season we can't keep conceding two goals."

On manager Erik ten Hag being under pressure: "I've played for this club for six years, I know how it works. When you go on a bad spell players come under pressure and also the manager does. He's experienced enough and been at this club long enough so I'm sure he knows how to deal with it.

"It's part of the privilege you have playing for this club."

Image source, Getty Images

Since Erik ten Hag joined the club in 2022, no Premier League team has conceded three or more goals in a match more times in all competitions than Manchester United (24).

The Red Devils are also winless in their past five matches in European competitions (D3 L2) despite leading by two or more goals in three of them.

In fact, the side have now failed to win each of the past four occasions they have led by two goals in a European match (D3 L1).

Image source, Getty Images

Harry Maguire rescued a dramatic draw for 10-man Manchester United after they had surrendered a two-goal lead - and had Bruno Fernandes sent off - at Porto in the Europa League.

Follow reaction and read the match report

Image source, Getty Images

The Key Match Incidents panel unanimously supported the decision of referee Jarred Gillett to award Newcastle a penalty against Manchester City.

City goalkeeper Ederson was judged to have made contact with Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon in the 56th minute.

Gordon scored from the spot to earn the Magpies a point in a 1-1 draw at St James' Park on Saturday.

The KMI panel, made up of five members, includes three ex-players and managers.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Some 180 Manchester United fans will miss Thursday's Europa League game at Porto after their flight was cancelled.

The supporters were making the journey to northern Portugal with United’s official travel partner, Sportsbreaks.

However, an initial delay in the morning because of a technical issue was compounded by poor weather in Porto when the flight was eventually ready to depart.

"Sportsbreaks are in the process of issuing full refunds to all supporters," said the company.

"All supporters who checked in for the flight will receive their credit."

United sources say the club share the regret at the problems which left those affected at Manchester airport all day.

There are three European fixtures on Thursday involving Premier League clubs:

• Ferencvaros v Tottenham (17:45) - Europa League

• Porto v Man Utd (20:00) - Europa League (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Chelsea v Gent (20:00) - Conference League

All kick-off times BST

Follow all of the action and reaction