- Darren Fletcher’s U18 side lose in U18 PL Cup final
- Red Devils prepare for Brentford clash on Monday
- Tottenham’s Micky Van de Ven being considered for summer
There are just three more sleeps before Manchester United return to action against Brentford on Monday night.
Michael Carrick‘s side have yet another long wait between Premier League fixtures. AFC Bournemouth’s 2-2 draw against Leeds United means that Brighton & Hove Albion remain the team to steer clear of in sixth.
Five points from the last five remaining games will secure Champions League football for next season. However, favourable results elsewhere can reduce that requirement.
The future of the club suffered heartbreak in the PL Youth Cup final on Wednesday (22 April). Elsewhere, attention has turned towards the transfer market. Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky Van de Ven has been identified as a target for the Old Trafford side.
Young Reds Lose PL Cup
Manchester United’s U18 side were cruelly defeated in the U18 PL Youth Cup final on Wednesday evening (22 April). The Reds, managed by Darren Fletcher, have had an impressive season in 2025/26. Several teenage stars were on show yesterday, such as JJ Gabriel, Jim Thwaites and Noah Ajayi.
The Reds took the lead in the first half courtesy of an Ajayi finish, expertly assisted by Chido Obi. The trophy was destined for Manchester until the dying minutes of the game. Albert Mills, ironically symmetrising his hero, was shown a straight red card after dragging down Palace’s Benji Casey to deny a goalscoring opportunity. Casey converted the subsequent penalty against Byrne-Hughes, sending the match into extra time.
In a tactical move ahead of the penalty shootout, Byrne-Hughes was substituted for Fred Heath. Unfortunately, the shootout ended in heartbreak for United as Godwill Kukonki eventually struck the post. Eagles’ Dean Benamer buried the winning penalty for Palace.
One of the biggest positives was Ajayi’s performance. It is bound to give INEOS management some food for thought ahead of preseason plans.
Brentford Preparation
The 8PM BST kickoff on Monday will mark the final fixture of Gameweek 34, giving the Reds a clear view of how Aston Villa and Liverpool fared over the weekend. Depending on those results, wins for both rivals could see them temporarily leapfrog United in the league table.
While interim boss Carrick will provide a full injury update in his pre-match press conference, early team news suggests significant boosts for the defence.
Harry Maguire has now served his suspension following his red card against Bournemouth. The 33-year-old was handed an additional one-match ban for improper conduct. As a result, he missed the recent 1-0 victory over Chelsea, sparking a temporary defensive crisis. The Englishman is expected to return to the starting eleven alongside Ayden Heaven in central defence.
However, Lisandro Martinez remains unavailable as he serves the second of a three-match ban following his dismissal against Leeds United. Elsewhere in the squad, Leny Yoro’s fitness remains a question mark, with doubts over whether he will feature before the end of the season. Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined indefinitely with a back injury.
Finally, Patrick Dorgu will not be rushed back into the matchday squad. Despite returning to training at Carrington, it is unlikely he will feature on Monday as the club manages his comeback trail after three months out.
Van De Ven Interest
Reports from The Athletic today indicate that Manchester United have ‘considered’ stepping up their interest in Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven.
With Spurs currently embroiled in a relegation scrap, the 25-year-old is expected to depart North London regardless of whether the club maintains its Premier League status or drops to the Championship.
United have identified him as a proven option, following their recent trend of prioritising Premier League experience. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both arrived last summer from English sides. As a left-footed centre-back, Van de Ven is viewed as a profile that would enhance the squad’s development rather than replace the future INEOS-preferred pairing of Heaven and Leny Yoro.
As United move closer to securing Champions League football, the club finds itself in a strong negotiating position. This advantage is boosted by Spurs’ current vulnerability and the absence of Daniel Levy, who for years acted as a significant thorn in United’s side during pursuits of Tottenham players.
