What's happening this week at United?
The return of club football following the recent international break means we're set for a hectic week of action at Manchester United.
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side facing matches in the Champions League and Premier League, there’s plenty happening at senior level. Chuck in a couple of Academy games and you’ll have ample opportunities to watch United this week.
There are also a few birthdays and poignant anniversaries to remember, and we’ve noted down all the major events happening at the club over the next seven days…
MONDAY
It may just be two days since the Reds’ last game - a 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion - but there’s no time for rest. In the morning, United are back in training ahead of Tuesday’s European clash with Istanbul Basaksehir, while Ole address the media in the afternoon, in his first pre-match press conference of the week. Later, Basaksehir boss Okan Buruk will also field questions from the media, just shortly before the team train on the Old Trafford pitch. Of course, you can keep up to date via ManUtd.com and our Official App.
The much-anticipated Wayne Rooney UTD Podcast will also be released this evening at 17:00 GMT. Find out what our record goalscorer has to say about his time at Old Trafford, including his 2004 transfer, his memories of that night in Moscow, his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, and nearly leaving the club in 2010.
UTD Podcast: The story of Rooney's transfer
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It’s matchday! The Reds could take a big step towards securing a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League, with a win over Istanbul Basaksehir. The Turkish side, of course, beat United and Ole’s men will be out for swift revenge on Tuesday night. The game kicks off at 20:00 GMT, the same time as the other clash in the group: Paris Saint-Germain against RB Leipzig.
WEDNESDAY
We’ll be reflecting on the previous night’s match and providing all the must-watch reaction across our various media platforms. As for Ole and the team, they’ll be back in training and already beginning the preparations for our weekend clash with Southampton.
This day also marks the anniversary of the sad passing of two United greats: George Best in 2005, and Bill Foulkes in 2013. The pair were part of our 1968 European Cup-winning team and, between them, represented United on 1,158 occasions.
We’ll be wishing Aaron Wan-Bissaka a very happy 23rd birthday. ‘The Spider’ has played 11 of the Reds’ 13 matches this season - a record only Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes can better. Meanwhile, former Red Danny Welbeck turns 30. The striker made 142 appearances during his United career and is currently plying his trade at Brighton & Hove Albion, for whom he scored at the weekend, against Aston Villa.
FRIDAY
Ole will be back in front of the cameras as he’ll be answering questions from the press ahead of Sunday’s trip to the south coast. Southampton have been flying in the league and even found themselves briefly top of the table a few weeks ago. The boss will, no doubt, be quizzed on the Saints’ strengths, asked about the latest team news and could give an insight into which XI will start at St Mary’s.
Later that evening, our Under-23s take on West Ham United at the Hammers' Rush Green training ground. The match will be shown live on MUTV and kicks off at 19:00 GMT.
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Our Under-18s are in action when we host Newcastle United’s youngsters at the Aon Training Complex. Neil Ryan’s team are currently second in the table, with goal difference alone separating us from leaders Liverpool, although we do have a game in hand over the Merseysiders. The match kicks off at 12:30 GMT and can be watched live on MUTV.
Match Quiz
#quizWill you be as spot on as Bruno Fernandes - second time around - when you tackle these 10 questions on United v West Brom?
The week ends with a Premier League tussle against high-flying Southampton. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men have impressed everyone with their energetic and offensive style of play this season and Ole will be hoping to register a first win as United boss at St Mary’s. We’ve drawn each of our last two visits to the stadium and last tasted victory there in September 2017, when Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory. The match gets under way at 14:00 GMT and live updates will be available through the Match Centre on our official website and app.
It’s also Ryan Giggs’s 47th birthday on this day. Our all-time record appearance-maker played on 963 occasions for United and scored 168 goals.