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Opinion

A magical European night proves why Manchester United must never demolish Old Trafford

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made plenty of mistakes since becoming Manchester United’s chief decision-maker, but Tuesday’s incredible comeback win over Roma proved bulldozing Old Trafford would be the biggest of the lot. ALEX CROOK explains why.

04.11.26 5 Min Read Alex Crook

Old Trafford Stadium during the EFL Cup match between Manchester United and Burton Albion at Old Trafford, Manchester, England on 19 September 2017. Photo by John Potts.

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Former manager Ron Atkinson during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England on 3 February 2018. Picture by Dennis Goodwin.
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40 years ago today: Defeat at the Dell spells the end for Big Ron and changes Manchester United’s history

Manchester United are notoriously, if somewhat understandably, reluctant to discuss the mammoth undertaking Alex Ferguson inherited in 1986 in recent years as the club plunge themselves into one transition period after another.

04.11.26Features
The 1878 Match Reaction Poster
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Match Reaction: United 3 Roma 2 – United stand up and deliver

Manchester United came from 2-0 down against Roma to win three priceless points in the Champions League after a pulsating half of football that may not mean much for the bigger picture in the near future - but gave Old Trafford some much-needed cheer after nine games without a win.

04.11.26News
1878 Weekly Review
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Inside United - Weekly Review, Monday 2nd November

A busy week across United’s loan network and academy, with a particularly strong run from the Under-18s. André Onana kept a clean sheet in Turkey, Will Murdock helped Hednesford to a clean-sheet win, and Jayce Fitzgerald and Dan Gore both added valuable minutes.

02.11.26News

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Old Trafford

Opinion

Manchester United’s ticketing crisis: how INEOS risked a revolt among supporters

30.08.269 Min ReadWayne Barton

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Lisandro Martinez (6) of Manchester United runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK on 10 October 2026.
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WAYNE BARTON ON MONDAY: A moment of madness too far from Martinez?

In a recent interview, Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel spoke about the past affiliations of Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox and wondered aloud if they had the right motivation for the club to succeed.

02.11.26Opinion
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1878 Match Reaction: United 0 Chelsea 2

Manchester United collapsed in the second half at Stamford Bridge following a decent first half; a moment of madness from Lisandro Martinez completely destroying a match in the balance to heap pressure on manager Michael Carrick. WAYNE BARTON shares his on-the-whistle reaction.

31.10.26News
Bruno Fernandes (8) of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK on 13 September 2026.
Members
Bruno Fernandes - Back in the team, but not off the naughty list

Language is a funny thing. Sometimes you can learn as much, if not more, from what is left unsaid compared to what is put on record. WAYNE BARTON examines what the words - and the silences - mean for Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United.

30.10.26News
Ex England football captain & Newcastle United player Alan Shearer during the BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am Day at the Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, United Kingdom on 25 May 2016. Photo by Simon Davies.

History

How Jack Walker blocked Alan Shearer’s agreed move to Manchester United

25.08.265 Min ReadWayne Barton

Alan Shearer was on the verge of becoming a Manchester United player in 1996. WAYNE BARTON explores Martin Edwards' revelatory account of how contract terms were agreed, until Blackburn chairman Jack Walker stepped in to redirect England's star striker to Newcastle United instead.

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