Weekend Report: Latest News For Reds

Manchester United returned to action at the weekend following the international break but the 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion wasn't the only thing we were talking about. If you are out of the loop, or just want to catch up quickly, here's our punchy recap of events...

1: SURGERY FOR MATA
Late on Friday night, the club confirmed that "Juan Mata has had surgery for a groin injury" and "further updates on his recovery will follow in due course." It therefore remains unclear how long the Spaniard will be unavailable, so we wish him well for his rehabilitation at this busy time of the season.

2: MIXED RESULTS FOR UNITED
United were undeniably frustrated by the stalemate against the Baggies, but the fifth-placed Reds are still in the hunt for Champions League qualification. Granted, Liverpool are now six points ahead following their 3-1 win over Everton, but the Merseysiders have played two more games. Elsewhere, Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Manchester City meant both rivals dropped points and the Gunners ended the weekend as they had started it, trailing Jose Mourinho's men.

3: WILLOCK ON THE BENCH
Reserves midfielder Matty Willock was named as a first-team substitute on Saturday to provide cover with Mata, Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba all unavailable. The youngster was given the squad number 42 on what was a huge day for him. “When I was young, I always wanted to grow up and play for a big club," he recently told Inside United. "If I keep working hard, hopefully I can push myself forward.”

4: POST-MATCH TRAINING
Paul Pogba was among a small group of players who trained on the Old Trafford pitch following the final whistle against West Brom on Saturday. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was also working hard, as he prepares to return from suspension against Everton on Tuesday. You can watch footage of the workout here.

5: HERRERA NO LONGER SUSPENDED
Ander has now served his two-match domestic ban, having missed the Middlesbrough and West Brom matches, which means he can feature against the Toffees at Old Trafford in midweek. Good news!

6: MEGAPHONES IN THE CROWD?
A number of fans were duped into believing megaphones would be used to encourage orchestrated chanting at Old Trafford on Saturday, but the announcement from fans’ group Stretford End Flags transpired to be an April Fools’ Day joke. The approach is of course common in Europe and specifically at Saint-Etienne, where United played earlier this season.

7: RAFAEL'S 'RETIREMENT'
Another prank on Fools’ Day arguably came from the club’s much-loved former right-back Rafael Da Silva, who announced on Twitter that he is retiring from football at the age of just 26 after a 10-season professional career. It prompted a flood of positive messages from fans of both United and his current club Lyon, until the penny dropped.

8: SOLID SAM
Sam Johnstone shut out the opposition for the sixth time in seven games for loan club Aston Villa as they beat Norwich City 2-0. His boss, former Reds captain Steve Bruce, buzzed: "He’s had a wonderful few weeks. His presence has given everybody in the team that confidence that we can keep a clean sheet."

9: SCHWEINSTEIGER SCORES
Bastian scored on his Chicago Fire debut by heading home in a lively 2-2 draw against Montreal Impact. The German, who moved from United to the MLS last week, was naturally pleased to be among the goals. “It’s a great moment when in your first match you score a goal, though I’d rather have a win,” he told CSN.