MANCHESTER UNITED CONFIRM 25-MAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SQUAD

Man United will return to the Champions League this season and they have named their European squad ahead of the competition starting next week.

The 2026/27 Champions League league phase starts next week

Manchester United have named their 25-man Champions League squad as they prepare for their return to the competition.

United kick off their European campaign next week with a home game against Sabah FK. The other seven sides the Reds will face in the league phase of the Champions League are Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Roma, Sporting, RB Leipzig, Villarreal and Como.

Teams competing in this season's Champions League had until Wednesday evening to submit their squads. There are a number of high-profile names not included on United's 25-man list, including Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro. However, both will still be eligible to play in the Champions League.

Teams are required to submit an 'A list' of players who can play in the Champions League, which is the list that has now been confirmed.

There is no requirement to include any player on the 'A list' who was born on or after 1 January 2005 and has been eligible to play for the club for two consecutive years since turning 15 (or three years including a loan spell). Any player who falls into this category is added to a 'B list', and this is submitted to UEFA either on or before the day prior to a Champions League match.

The 'A list' that has been submitted to UEFA is now locked in for the league phase of the competition. However, should United reach the knockout rounds, they will have until 4 February 2027 to register a maximum of three new players.

United's 25-man Champions League squad:

Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow, Tom Heaton, Senne Lammens, Dermot Mee

Defenders: Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven

Midfielders: Carlos Baleba, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Manuel Ugarte

Forwards: Amad, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko, Joshua Zirkzee, Tynan Thompson

- Ross Jackson

MOST GOALS BY BRAZILIAN IN A PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON

 

RUBEN AMORIM FIRES UNUSUAL WARNING TO LENY YORO

The Man Utd boss also had some choice words for returning striker Matheus Cunha.

Leny Yoro had a day to forget against Crystal Palace. / James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim warned Leny Yoro that his visible devastation towards his performance against Crystal Palace last time out cannot be allowed to happen again.

The Red Devils endured a nightmare first half against Palace. While the entire team underperformed, Yoro attracted significant criticism after giving away the penalty from which Jean-Philippe Mateta put the Eagles ahead.

Yoro was replaced in the 54th minute, just seconds before United began their two-goal comeback, and looked incredibly upset as he arrived at the bench. Even after the game, when United were applauding their travelling fans, an evidently emotional Yoro had to be comforted by Mason Mount.

As he thanked Mount for his show of support, Amorim admitted: “I also spoke with [Yoro] because he thinks too much. He makes a mistake in the game and then he struggles because he’s too young and he wants to do everything so well. He’s growing with games and with setbacks; it’s not easy for him as a young guy.

“He cannot give that [reaction] to the people, the way he came to the bench. He understands that, but he was really frustrated. It shows he cares. He knows it wasn’t his best game, but he did some things well and I showed him that. He’s fit and ready for the next challenge.”

Amorim: Pressure Also Weighing on Matheus Cunha

Matheus Cunha is nearing a return from a head injury. / Alex Pantling/Getty Images

United’s manager has taken a particularly harsh approach to man management in recent weeks. Left back Patrick Dorgu was brutally challenged over his perceived anxiety on the ball before being dropped for the Palace game, and Amorim also had some stern words for the returning Matheus Cunha.

The Brazil international, a £62.5 million ($83.2 million) signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer, has netted just once in his first 11 appearances for United and will be hoping to add to that tally in his expected return from a head injury against West Ham United on Thursday.

“[Cunha] was struggling because he was not scoring and he was thinking too much about the numbers,” Amorim said. “The influence that he has in the team is so important for us, but I think Cunha has so much to grow defensively and offensively.

“I think he has more levels to go. He’s in a different club, different pressure. He coped with that really well, but he feels that he wants to score, he wants to assist.”

Amorim concluded: “I think he struggled with these two games out. He was struggling because he wants to play and he has fun playing the game and that is so important in our team—he wants the pressure, the challenge, so I think it was not a good thing for him to stop playing. He watched a lot of players playing well, especially in his position, so he is not happy.

“On Thursday maybe he will have the opportunity to come back and to score again or assist.”

- Tom Gott

ANTOINE SEMENYO HAS TOLD MAN UNITED EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEEDED AMID £65M CLAUSE

AFC Bournemouth's top goal-scorer Antoine Semenyo is a man in demand ahead of the January transfer window and Manchester United have been linked to him.

Antoine Semenyo will be a wanted man during the January transfer window.(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Just for once, Manchester United couldn't be criticised too much for how the summer transfer window played out. Considering the lack of Champions League football this season, it always seemed like it would be difficult to attract players to the club and, yet, they managed to address the major concerns.

Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko were brought in to bolster an attack which stuttered badly last season. Senne Lammens was signed to improve the goalkeeping ranks and he has managed to do that well. The only area of the pitch seemingly neglected was midfield, but it was agreed that was further down the priority list at that juncture.

It's only as the season has progressed though that United's attack has shown signs of needing further investment. Many assumed Joshua Zirkzee would have more involvement than he has considering Rasmus Hojlund left, but he does not seem to be trusted by Ruben Amorim.

It has left United with a lack of options in the centre-forward role. Sesko is the only out-and-out No.9 in the first-team squad, but he is still adapting to the Premier League. Chido Obi is an option but, at 17, his short-term career plan is best served in the academy set-up.

When Amorim wants to bring in a replacement for Sesko, the Reds currently have to adopt a striker-less system - which has worked against the likes of Liverpool - but isn't necessarily ideal for matches where a focal point up top is needed. That is why the availability of Antoine Semenyo should be appealing to the recruitment department.

Semenyo fits the same mould as Mbeumo and Cunha. He's a player who has proven he can do it in the Premier League and has a goal-scoring record to match that.

In a recent interview with Jason Wilcox, the United sporting director explained how the club made a decision to sign players in attack who they could 'plug in and play' in the Premier League. This does not mean signing players who solely fit the system, but also ones who know the division and can settle immediately.

Were they to sign Semenyo, then he would be another player who could do just that. Another similarity between Mbeumo and the Bournemouth attacker is the concerns surrounding whether he can feature as a No.10, or centre-forward, considering he plays as a right winger for his club.

However, speaking back in January, the Ghana international told the Reds exactly what they wanted to hear. "I feel like I'm comfortable playing in any role across the forward positions," he said.

"This comes with the ability to use both feet, I think. I'm comfortable playing whether on the left, right or in the middle.

"However, in my head the end goal is to be a No.9. Maybe in the years to come when I've built the experience I'll eventually transition into that, but I'm not too hung up on that."

If United are to spend a vast amount of money on a player, they need to know he can feature in a role suitable for Amorim's system. With those comments, Semenyo has offered reassurances that he can.

It will be a huge surprise if Semenyo is still at Bournemouth by the end of the January transfer window. If he stays injury free, and continues the sort of form he has been showing so far, there will be Premier League clubs queuing up for him.

Semenyo is understood to have a £65million release clause which will be active in the early stages of the January window. It's said it will expire shortly after the window opens to allow Bournemouth time to sign a replacement if necessary.

As such, we can expect any potential suitors to swarm on him as soon as the window begins and United need to be ready for that. If Semenyo now proves to be a serious target for the Reds in the transfer market, Zirkzee will undoubtedly need to leave and we understand a request from the Dutchman is likely to be lodged in January if his game time doesn't increase.

Should that happen, it's a no brainer for United. They must look to rake in as much as they can for Zirkzee and then use that money to attempt to sign Semenyo.

He has told the Reds exactly what they needed to hear so now is the time to start planning their approach.

- Jack Flintham

MORE PENALTY MISERY FOR MANCHESTER UNITED AND BRUNO FERNANDES IN BRENTFORD LOSS

Bruno Fernandes failed from the penalty spot again as Manchester United were beaten 3-1 at Brentford.

Igor Thiago’s first-half double put Brentford in command before United were handed a lifeline by Benjamin Sesko’s first goal since his £73million move from RB Leipzig.

Substitute Mathias Jensen sealed matters in the fifth of eight minutes of stoppage time after Fernandes had wasted a golden chance to equalise with the contest having moved into the final quarter.

Bryan Mbeumo, back at Brentford after ending a six-year stay with the Bees in the summer, was dragged down by Nathan Collins in front of goal.

But Fernandes, who missed the target from 12 yards at Fulham last month, was wasteful as Caoimhin Kelleher went to his left and saved with a strong hand.

Brentford had won only once in the Premier League and started the day just outside the bottom three, but an excellent team performances was typified by the excellent Jordan Henderson and Mikkel Damsgaard in midfield and Thiago’s clinical finishing.

Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte and Matheus Cunha returned after United’s win over Chelsea with boss Ruben Amorim’s hand forced by injury and suspension.

Noussair Mazraoui was injured, Casemiro ruled out by his Chelsea red card, and Amad Diallo unavailable due to a family bereavement.

It meant summer signings Cunha, Mbeumo – who received a warm reception on his Brentford return – and Sesko lined up in the United attack for the first time .

Brentford profited from the first main action after eight minutes as Cunha went to ground and Henderson spotted Thiago’s run.

Thiago advanced to crash a shot high off the post past Altay Bayindir, and the subsequent VAR check showed the Brazilian had been played onside by Harry Maguire’s back foot.

Cunha drove wide from 20 yards as United sought to recover from the early setback.

But Bayindir had to make two fine stops in the space of a minute, palming out Sepp van den Berg’s point-blank effort and acrobatically tipping over a Collins header after Henderson had found space.

Brentford were swarming all over United and doubled their lead after 20 minutes.

Maguire played Kevin Schade onside this time and Bayindir could only divert his cross into the path of Thiago, who squeezed the ball over the line despite the desperate effort of the United goalkeeper to salvage the situation.

Sesko fired straight at Kelleher, but the Slovenian striker did not have to wait long to open his United account.

Mbeumo competed with Kelleher under Patrick Dorgu’s cross and the ball fell kindly for Sesko.

Kelleher kept out two attempts – a header and a stabbed shot – but Sesko slammed home at the third attempt and the goal stood after VAR had checked Mbeumo’s challenge on the goalkeeper.

Cunha’s low drive was collected comfortably, but the second half was a more sedate affair until Schade got the better of Dalot and Dango Ouattara was denied by Bayindir.

United’s frustration grew after Collins was spared a red card, despite not appearing to try and play the ball when holding back Mbeumo, and Fernandes missed from the spot.

Jensen’s thunderous drive finally saw off United as jubilant Brentford fans directed cries of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at Amorim.

- Phil Blanche, PA

GRIMSBY TOWN'S GOALKEEPER HAD HILARIOUS REACTION TO ELIMINATING MAN UTD IN CARABAO CUP

Christy Pym admitted to being a Man Utd fan after beating them in the Carabao Cup.

Christy Pym was one of Grimsby Town’s heroes in their win vs. Manchester United. / Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

In the biggest shock of the young 2025–26 season, Grimsby Town eliminated Manchester United from the Carabao Cup in the second round.

The League Two outfit—English football’s fourth division—were stellar against the Man Utd. However, after squandering a two-goal lead, they had to wait until the 26th kick of a penalty shootout to complete the upset. It was the first time since 2014 that the Red Devils were eliminated in the second round.

Goalkeeper Christy Pym denied a would be game-winning penalty from Matheus Cunha early in the shootout and was unquestionably one of the heroes of the night. Following the match, though, he admitted to mixed feelings in a hilarious post-match interview.

“Yeah it’s not sunk in yet [the win]. I’m a Man United fan so I’m half fuming a little bit,” Pym said. “Nights like this are what you play football for.”

"I'm a Man United fan so I'm half fuming to be honest" 😂

Christy Pym and Charles Vernam react to a historic win for Grimsby Town 😍 pic.twitter.com/ViJned0y8P

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 27, 2025

Despite conceding two late goals that sent the tie to penalties, Pym was brilliant against the team he supports. The Grimsby goalkeeper finished the match with seven saves, including some truly spectacular ones. Yet, he still isn’t fully pleased with his performance at the end.

“I should’ve done a little bit better [in the penalty shootout], shouldn’t I? I got one save that kept us in it and then the boys did the rest. They were brilliant.”

In their first meeting against Man Utd since 1948, Grimsby Town emerged victorious on a night that will go down in club history.

Grimsby now moves on to the third round of the Carabao Cup where they’ll face Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. The match will take place between September 15–22.

- Roberto Casillas

MANCHESTER UNITED SET TO COMPLETE £62.5M SIGNING OF WOLVES' MATHEUS CUNHA

Matheus Cunha gets away from Yehor Yarmolyuk of Brentford.Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock

Manchester United are poised to sign Matheus Cunha after triggering the £62.5m release clause in the Wolves forward’s contract. United have agreed to split the fee in three payments across the next two years.

Wolves rejected United’s attempt to stagger the payment across five years but now the Brazilian is set to become Ruben Amorim’s first summer signing after a hugely disappointing season.

The signing is expected to be a formality from here and he could be the first of several summer arrivals for United. He has already agreed personal terms and will undergo a medical in the coming days. Amorim is also keen on signing the Ipswich forward Liam Delap, who has a release clause of £30m after relegation from the Premier League.

Cunha has impressed across his two and a half years at Wolves, for whom he scored 15 goals this season to pull them clear of relegation trouble. He joined from RB Leipzig in January 2023, initially on loan, before completing a £43m permanent move.

He signed a new contract on deadline day in February on the basis that his new deal would contain a release clause amid interest from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, United are expected to be open to selling Alejandro Garnacho if they receive an offer that matches their valuation of about £60m. United are also keen to offload Marcus Rashford, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa, and Antony, who has shone on loan at Conference League finalists Real Betis.

- Ben Fisher

RACE TO THE GOLDEN BOOT