MATA: HOW UNITED CONVINCED ME TO SIGN

Juan Mata has revealed how he helped convince former employers Chelsea to allow him to leave the club in 2014 and complete his transfer to Manchester United.

The Spaniard had been voted Player of the Year in his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge, but failed to hold down a regular place in the side during his third campaign in west London.

Despite that, Juan was initially keen to stay at Chelsea when United came calling in 2013/14, but the allure of being a Red was something he simply couldn't turn down.

“The summer before, there was some interest [from United],” the 31-year-old said during his appearance in the latest episode of the UTD Podcast.

“No [I wouldn’t leave then]. I wanted to see what the challenge was and there was never really anything else other than interest. There was not an offer, so I didn’t have the real opportunity.

“As the season went on and the transfer market arrived in January, then there was an offer. I had some other offers also but I wasn’t going to leave either. I’m not one who wants to leave when the situation is tough.

“When Manchester United called and they said ‘We’re going to go for you and make an offer to Chelsea, we want you to come’, I spoke with them. I really wanted to go and really wanted to feel what it is to be a Manchester United player.

“I had suffered playing against United with Chelsea and they are definitely one of the biggest clubs in the world. At that moment, they were struggling with the first season of [David] Moyes and were not doing great in the league, but that doesn’t matter. I wanted to come to be a player for this club.

“I spoke to Chelsea and said: ‘Listen, there is this offer. It’s also good money and you can sign another player, because I’m telling you so that you have time to sign another player. I’m not playing a lot and want to take this opportunity. It’s perfect for everyone.’ So it happened.”

When both parties had agreed a fee, Juan was ready to make the long drive from London to Manchester. However, things didn’t pan out exactly as he expected.

“I thought I was going to take a car,” Mata said, “but, from the club, they tell me ‘No, we’re preparing a helicopter for you. We want you to arrive at Carrington’.

“So the day everything was signed and I come for the medical, it was very windy and rainy. I was supposed to take the helicopter from next to my house in London, as there was a helicopter place, but we couldn’t so I had to go outside London. I remember that trip, coming with my parents over Birmingham, seeing everything because it was low.

“Then there was a point where we saw a green space with football pitches and a red building. We landed and Moyes was waiting for me and David De Gea, as soon as I went in.

“It was very special, to be honest, to arrive in that way. I’d never been to Manchester other than to play against City and United but, no, never before.”

WHAT THEY SAID

David Moyes: “Juan is one of the finest playmakers in the game today and it's a real pleasure to have secured his signature. He's been instrumental in Chelsea's recent success, with a notable 28 assists and 32 goals in his last two Premier League seasons. I have been impressed with the excitement he has shown to be part of the new Manchester United. I know our fans have admired Juan for some time now – he has always played well against us – and I know they will be delighted to see him in the red of United.”

Daniel Harris (The Guardian): “The notion that Manchester United do not need Juan Mata is a curious one; his is an ingenious, improvisational flair, able to stimulate both instinct and intellect with comforting consistency.”

Gary Pallister: “He is the kind of player Manchester United fans want to see. He has great imagination and can get people off their seats in anticipation of the things he can do with a football. We are delighted to get hold of him.”

JUAN MATA ON MOYES, VAN GAAL, MOURINHO AND OLE

Few players in world football are better placed to offer assessments on the merits of the different managers they have worked under than Juan Mata.

The playmaker has been schooled by some of the greats of the game during his time with Valencia, Chelsea and Manchester United, not to mention the Spanish national team, with whom he won the World Cup in 2010.

Now the fan favourite has opened up about each of the bosses he's worked under during his time in Manchester, as part of a wide-ranging chat with UTD Podcast.

Read on for his verdict on David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer...

DAVID MOYES (2014)

“I always feel bad when a manager has to go, because it means that you are not doing right, or you are not getting results. So it's not a nice feeling. So unfortunately he had to go. But of course, I'm very thankful to him.

“What I remember the most about that season was in the last game. Ryan Giggs was our caretaker manager at that time, and we always do the ‘lap of honour’, let's say. You say 'thank you' and 'goodbye and see you next season'.

“I was very afraid of that, because we were seventh in the league, a position Man United should never be, so I was like: we're going to wave and they're going to boo us back, they're going to insult and they're going to be like they should feel, because I understand that. I came from Spain and I know how things can turn difficult when the team is not performing.

“You know, I didn't want to look to the people just in case, and I was embarrassed. But half-way, I realised that they were clapping, they were singing, they were encouraging us, saying it doesn't matter, next season, next season. I was just like: this is incredible.

“Honestly, it was unbelievable to have such fans behind you. You're seventh in the league with Manchester United, having been winners the year before with Sir Alex Ferguson. And they don't lose their patience and they say, 'Keep going, it doesn't matter'. It got me a bit emotional, because I didn't expect it.”

LOUIS VAN GAAL

“He was scary! He was scary, I tell you! He was a very nice man, very genuine. Very sensible. You wouldn't expect that, but he was very sensible. He could even get emotional and crying sometimes when he was speaking about important matters that he found with the right values, or the right football... he got emotional.

“But I remember the first meeting we all had with him. It was in LA. We were doing a pre-season tour. So the manager said: 'I want to meet you one by one in this room after dinner'. I was like 'okay'.

“Everyone went, whatever. My turn. So I arrive to the room and it was him, Ryan Giggs, a bottle of Rioja, red wine, and three glasses. He said: 'Do you want to have the drink?' And I said, 'No, no, it's fine'. He said, 'Okay, I'll have it'. So he had the drink, and he said, 'Tell me who you are?'

“I mean, 'My name is Juan, I'm 26, I play football'. 'No, no, no. Tell me who you are as a man. Do you have family? What do you find important in life?'

“I remember he had like paper, where he had set up the tactics for the team and that year, and he was like 'Where do you think you will fit best here?' I was like 'here' and he said 'No'. 'Here?' 'No.'

“So we had trained that pre-season with five in the back, two [in midfield], one no.10, and he put me in that no.10 and he said 'You're going to play here' and I was like 'Great'. I didn't want to put it myself! And from that moment, you realised: he can look scary in the face-to-face, because also he goes too close to you. But after that, he's a very warm and genuine man. Ryan Giggs was there trying to hold his laugh!

“He used to tell us after games: ‘Try to go and sign for the fans. Don't get in your cars and leave. I received this morning a letter from a mother that thanks me personally because you, you and you the other day went to see her kids somewhere.’

“So he was more than a football manager with his tactics; he was a great human being and I learned a lot from him in that sense. We had some good moments also: qualifying for the Champions League and winning the FA Cup, which I felt was very important for us and for him.

“He had a speech in which he thanked us for winning the trophy and how happy he was. I don't think he knew if he was going to continue or not, so it wasn't a proper farewell. But it was an emotional speech, and after that of course we exchanged messages and things, but it was sad to see him [go]. Especially because of how he was as a man.”

JOSE MOURINHO

“I wasn't nervous. I was feeling like those six months at Chelsea where I stayed, I was feeling 'Let's go for it, you know?' I didn't play as much as I would have liked to with him in Chelsea, but you know football changes, and Chelsea's squad is different to United's squad.

“So many people were asking me, 'What did you say in the beginning?' I was like, 'I'll tell you – we spoke about Manchester, and a game that Barcelona had played a few days ago, and football’. It was completely normal and good relationship between us.

“The respect is mutual, and we never had any personal problem. The situation was a football situation. He played in a certain way that maybe didn't suit perfectly my qualities as a player, and that's it. Sometimes it happens in football.

“But my mentality was: okay, I'm going to try. My family was a bit scared. The fans were telling me, 'What are you going to do?' But I had it clear in my mind that I'm going to stay and prove that I can play much more than people think, and I did. And it's one of the things that I feel very proud [of] in my career: having made that decision, testing myself and keeping going and playing, at the end, the Carabao Cup final, the Europa League final, and feeling an important player in the squad. That's how I felt before, and how I felt with him.”

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

“Of course, I heard much about him as a player. About that goal, about the many goals. So we had a meeting between us, the team, and they said: 'Listen, it's probable that Ole's going to come. He's going to take care of the team until the end of the season. He's coming from Molde in Norway.'

“As soon as he came in, you could see the positivity. You could see the Man United DNA. He knew everyone, he felt like a proper United fan, and he was happy and smiley and full of energy. Until today. So we stay with him, and I think that's a good sign of things going okay.

“I feel young, honestly, in my body and in my mind, but obviously I've been playing in the club, and in English football and professionally for 12-13 years now, and so that gives me experience to – especially in difficult situations – behave in a certain way or give advice to the youngsters or something like that, and I think he values that also.

“Me, as a player, what I can give on the pitch, but also that I will try my best off the pitch for the new players that come, like now Bruno [Fernandes] and Odion [Ighalo], for the youngsters that come through the Academy like Brandon [Williams], Chongy [Tahith Chong], Angel [Gomes] and Jimmy [Garner].”

UTD PODCAST: WHITESIDE RECALLS SIR ALEX'S FIRST DAY

Norman Whiteside has revealed the message Sir Alex Ferguson delivered to Manchester United’s players on his first day in the job, back in November 1986.

In the latest episode of UTD Podcast, the 1980s legend was taken back to when Ron Atkinson made way for the man who would become the most successful manager in the club’s history.

And the way Sir Alex made his authority clear from the start is something that the Northern Irishman recalls clearly and respects, even if he found himself eventually being moved on by Ferguson.

“I remember, I was injured again,” Whiteside told us at his pub in Altrincham, where the podcast was recorded.

“There was only two or three of us who went to Big Ron’s leaving do at his house in Rochdale. Strach [Gordon Strachan], me, Paul [McGrath] and Robbo [Bryan Robson] were there. We had a good night. A very good night.

“We came in the next morning at the gymnasium at the Cliff and Alex walks down the stairs. He says ‘I don’t care who you are in this line-up here. I’m the new manager of Manchester United, my rules are my rules. I am the boss of this club now.’

“He said it just like that. He actually mentioned me. He said ‘I don’t care if you’re Whiteside, Robson or McGrath. I am the boss from here on in.’

“Gordon [who played under Ferguson at Aberdeen] gave us a bit of a heads-up, [saying] he’s a bit strict. You knew what you were into. New manager, you’ve got to adapt by the rules and get on with it. That was his intro: I’m the boss. The rest was history.”

Atkinson had given Whiteside his break in the United first team, with the Northern Irishman becoming our youngest player since Duncan Edwards when making his debut at the age of 16 in 1982.

The forward, who won two FA Cups with the Reds, went on to make over 200 appearances under Big Ron and remained at Old Trafford for a further three years under his successor, although he was hit by injury problems during that time.

In what is an entertaining and revealing interview, lasting over an hour, Whiteside expands on the contrasts between the two managers and highlights that, despite his 1989 departure, he still gets on with Ferguson.

“Yeah they were completely different characters. Sir Alex was always more detailed,” Norman adds. “He would have a meeting to tell you when the next meeting was! With Big Ron, you’d turn up and as long as you’re fine at 3pm, you’re on my team sheet.

“It wasn't so much style. Big Ron took me into midfield, which he said was a gem of a move from him but it was really lucky to be honest. But people forget I played 70-odd games under Fergie. I got on really well with him. Right to this day I still get on well with him.”

Whiteside adds that Ferguson initially struggled to bring his forward-thinking ideas – which included deploying Bryan Robson as a deep-lying playmaker, in the style of an Italian libero – to fruition at United.

“When I was playing, he was still finding his level.

“I remember coming in at Littleton Road and he pulled everyone in pre-season and he told us what we were going to do. He said we'll put Robson there [at the back], and have two centre-backs and two full-backs.

“He was already light years ahead of Europe [in terms of his tactics]. But we had practice games with the Reserves and local teams like Oldham and Rochdale and it didn’t work. But he had the vision that this is the way the game is going to go.”

DAVID DE GEA PASSES VAN DER SAR CLEAN-SHEET TALLY

David De Gea continues to rack up the records at Manchester United, and most recently ascended to fourth place on the list of goalkeepers with the most clean sheets for the club.

The Spaniard's performance in the 2-0 victory over Manchester City earlier this month took him to 138 shut-outs for United – three clear of Edwin van der Sar (135).

De Gea had drawn level with his Dutch predecessor thanks to the 0-0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 1 February, and then surpassed him after the winter break via another pristine showing against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side triumphed 2-0.

Only Gary Bailey (161), Alex Stepney (175) and Peter Schmeichel (180) boast a greater tally of clean sheets than the Madrileno and, at just 29 years old, De Gea should have plenty of time to topple their totals.

The former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper has endured a testing season, with uncharacteristic mistakes at Vicarage Road and Goodison Park inviting a higher level of scrutiny on his performances, but De Gea has been an integral part of the Reds' recent defensive improvement, which has wrought nine clean sheets in the last 11 games.

Earlier this season, United's no.1 (394 appearances) also surpassed the aforementioned Bailey (375) on the club's all-time appearances list, and is currently just six shy of becoming the 27th player in club history to record 400 or more.

Should David reach that milestone when football returns after the COVID-19 pandemic, he will also have passed Schmeichel's count (398) and be second on the list of goalkeepers with the most United appearances.

Currently, only 1968 European Cup-winner Stepney is ahead of the Great Dane, with a mammoth 539 appearances.

Only Ryan Giggs, Sir Bobby Charlton, Paul Scholes, Bill Foulkes, Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney have made more appearances for the 20-times champions of England than Stepney, who spent 12 years at the club between 1966 and 1978.

CONFIRMED: RASHFORD STEPS UP HIS REHABILITATION

The club can confirm that Marcus Rashford has been cleared to step up his rehabilitation programme following encouraging signs on his latest scans. His progress will continue to be monitored by the club’s medical team throughout the current lockdown period.

The Academy graduate and this season’s top scorer so far has not played since 15 January, due to a serious back injury he sustained in the Emirates FA Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Rashford had been working hard on his rehabilitation with medical staff at the Aon Training Complex, before the coronavirus pandemic forced all of the Reds to work individually at home.

However, as Marcus explained in an interview with Sky Sports at the weekend, his progress has not been affected and the 22-year-old was happy to report he is growing stronger.

“I feel much better,” said Rashford, who had scored 19 goals from 31 appearances before his injury. “Definitely, comparing it to two or three weeks ago, I feel 10 times better.

“For me now, it is just about getting ready to build it back up to training and playing the games with the team. I am in a much better place. I am much happier now than I was about a month ago, so things are looking positive.”

With all matches postponed until at least 30 April, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, United’s players are all training away from club facilities with guidance from the coaching staff.

Rashford is taking the unprecedented situation in his stride and, due to his injury, admits nothing much has changed for him on a personal level.

“Everyone's just dealing with the circumstances as well as they can,” said Marcus over the weekend. “I have just been in my house, doing my recovery work, reading books, watching Netflix and just whatever you can do to make the time pass.

“There is not really anything that comes close to that feeling of being in the changing room, in the team, in my opinion, so to be honest I am not trying to chase that high.

“I had to have time off anyway and relax because of my injury. I am fortunate enough to have a bike in the gym downstairs so not much in that sense has actually changed for me, because I can still do the daily routine that I was doing.”

When Rashford is not working on his rehabilitation, the homegrown hero has been helping those who are less fortunate by raising £100,000 for a charity called Fare Share, specifically to get food to children who usually rely on free school meals.

“I didn't know how high the numbers were for kids who weren't eating at home, other than school meals,” explained Marcus. “That number kind of shocked me and I remember speaking to one of my friends, who was saying there was an opportunity where we can help these people.

“Starting up with Fair Share was something that I haven't done on such short notice before. We pretty much had the idea and they allowed us to make it work, so we thought 'let's try to get to £100,000'. That would allow us to feed 400,000 kids so it has a massive impact.”

*Article updated at 14:55 GMT.

EXCLUSIVE: HOW LINGARD & POGBA ARE STAYING ACTIVE

Manchester United team-mates Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba have revealed how they are staying healthy, both physically and mentally, during the ongoing break from football.

The postponement of all action was recently extended from 3 to 30 April in light of the coronavirus pandemic, following an announcement that was communicated by the FA, Premier League and EFL.

United's players are all training individually at home, away from club facilities, with guidance from the club's coaches and medical staff. During an exclusive 'United Hangout' at the weekend, Lingard revealed how he has maintained his health and fitness in these unusual circumstances.

“How have I been keeping busy? With a lot of gym work and then I've been on a few runs as well, as we are allowed out once a day for exercise,” said Lingard. “So I've been out for a few runs.

“And I've done a couple of challenges that I've been nominated to do on Instagram, but really I've just been trying to keep my mind active and have tried to stay busy.”

Asked about his contact with team-mates, Lingard continued: “We have a WhatsApp group so we all keep in contact on that, with a couple of FaceTimes here and there.

“Everyone is coping and everyone is just trying to stay fit and healthy, with the family, looking after each other, staying safe and sound.”

Speaking to the fans, Jesse said: “We've got to follow the government guidelines. We've got to stay indoors, wash our hands quite frequently and be safe. When football starts again, we'll be ready. We're training, we're working hard in our homes and in our gardens and we can't wait to get back.”

Pogba, who also took part in our ‘United Hangout’, happily admitted that his family life is keeping him busy during the break from football.

“I'm just being a dad, it is enough, it keeps me busy,” said the French midfielder. “I just run after my son and my wife has made the 'Stay at Home' challenge. You will see it online. I have been cooking, I am cooking, helping my wife and just being a normal dad I would say.”

In his own message to the fans, Paul said: “Stay safe, stay at home, stay connected. Keep supporting United and hopefully we will be back soon. We want to get back to the game and to winning trophies.”

Speaking in another ‘United Hangout’ earlier this month, Juan Mata provided his own insight into the work that he has been doing at home to maintain his physical condition.

“We are coping okay,” said Mata. “We are obviously in the house, trying to stay fit, trying to train how we can, doing some exercise in the house and whoever has a garden, they are in the garden.

“We are just trying to stay fit. We are being patient and calm, that is the only thing we can do now. We have to wait, we have to trust the experts and we have to wait until we can play football again.”

Lee Grant also stated the players are in regular communication with their coaches from the Aon Training Complex. “We have been in constant contact with the coaches and, of course, I have been in touch with the goalkeeping coaches,” explained the experienced stopper.

“We have got our own special programme and, really, it just centres around doing as much as we can within the confines and the safety of our own houses.

“Of course, we are utilising what equipment we have. So, we are really just doing what we can and trying to follow, as closely as we can, the programmes that the club have given us.”

UNITED HANGOUT: POGBA AND LINGARD RECALL EUROPA LEAGUE GLORY

Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba have teamed up again, albeit from a distance in their respective homes, to catch up on life in lockdown and to reminisce about their roles in Manchester United's 2017 Europa League success.

The two Academy graduates were involved in that triumph, and while the current football season - including another promising European campaign - is on hold, they took some time out from their isolation activities such as fitness training, box-set viewing and cooking to review the 2-0 win over Ajax in Stockholm.

In our latest United Hangout video chat, chaired by MUTV presenter Sam Homewood, the good friends enjoyed looking back on that match three years ago and recalling their emotions.

“I was so happy because that was what we wanted,” Paul said. “At the start of the season we wanted to win this and it meant we went through to the Champions League [the following season].

“It was our second trophy of the year and I was really happy. That’s what Manchester United is about: winning trophies.”

It was the Frenchman who opened the scoring that evening, although Jesse cheekily suggested it should have been recorded as an own goal due to the huge deflection the ball took off Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez.

“It was my goal! If I don’t shoot, the ball doesn’t go that way,” Pogba responded, with a chuckle.

“It was a lucky shot and the ball went in. When you’re winning at the start that gives you an advantage. It was a good start for us.”

The Reds still led at half-time, and Jesse says the team were calm and composed during the interval.

“We were very confident,” he recalled. “We saw out the first half and were leading. Then it’s about sticking to the game plan, not getting complacent and sticking together on the pitch.”

Henrikh Mkhitaryan netted United's second goal after the break, before Jesse could have made it 3-0 late on, only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from Sanchez.

“When you’re running through on goal you don’t think about what’s behind you, you just think you’re going to score,” said Lingard,

“Sanchez was chasing me down and he was rapid! I was one-on-one with the keeper and he made a last-ditch tackle as I was about to shoot.”

“It was amazing [to win the final],” our no.14 continued. “European finals are every boy’s dream, and to lift the trophy with the likes of Paul and Marcus [Rashford], who I’d grown up with, was a beautiful feeling. You can never forget that.”

“It was a very good game for all of us,” Pogba added. “Everyone played well and we had a very strong performance.”

MESSAGES FOR THE FANS

Paul and Jesse ended their United Hangout by offering words of support and encouragement for the club's fans who are also in isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pogba said: “Stay safe, stay at home, stay connected. Keep supporting United and hopefully we will be back soon. We want to get back to the game - and to winning trophies.”

Lingard added: “Obviously we've got to follow the government guidelines. We've got to stay indoors, wash our hands quite frequently and be safe. When football starts again, we'll be ready. We're training, we're working hard in our homes and in our gardens and we can't wait to get back.”

UNITED LEAD THE WAY IN PLAYING GRADUATES

Manchester United have given Premier League appearances to more Academy graduates than any of our rivals this season.

By our reckoning, the 11 homegrown players fielded by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019/20 exceeds the numbers recorded by all the other clubs in the division.

Chelsea, due to be our FA Youth Cup semi-final opponents, come in a close second, ahead of fellow London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

There have been 11 United men who were raised at the club and have got on the pitch in the top flight this term - Tahith Chong, James Garner, Angel Gomes, Mason Greenwood, Jesse Lingard, Scott McTominay, Andreas Pereira, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams.

Chelsea are one behind with 10 - Tammy Abraham, Faustino Anjorin, Armando Broja, Andreas Christensen, Billy Gilmour, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Reece James, Tariq Lamptey, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori.

Arsenal have called upon Hector Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe and Joe Willock, and that's not counting Gabriel Martinelli, who joined at 18.

Spurs, meanwhile, can list Harry Kane, Oliver Skipp, Troy Parrott, Japhet Tanganga, Kyle Walker-Peters and Harry Winks as their Academy stars.

In terms of a comparison of the actual appearances made by the United and Chelsea players, the Reds come out on top.

Chelsea totalled 124 appearances for youth products, while Solskjaer has handed out 137 in 2019/20, so far.

Although Frank Lampard has given more starts to his charges (97-87), two of his youngsters only made brief debuts off the bench in their most recent outing (Faustino Anjorin and Armando Broja) - a comfortable 4-0 victory over Everton earlier this month.

And, looking at goals, the Reds edge this one as well (25-21) with Rashford (14) and Abraham (13) leading the way for their respective sides.

WHERE DO THE REDS STRIKERS STAND IN THE GOAL CHARTS?

Back in a simpler time, the top goalscorers chart was based on players' strikes for their club in all competitions - not just the Premier League.

At least, that's how I remember it on Ceefax and in several publications around that era.

So I looked into where Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood stand on this list and, considering some of the talk in the summer about the club possibly lacking an out-and-out no.9, they do pretty well.

Rashford would certainly have broken the 20-goal barrier but for his back injury while United are one of only three Premier League sides to have three players in double figures, the others being Liverpool and Manchester City.

Martial has missed some games due to injury but still outscored the likes of Tammy Abraham and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who have rightly gained plenty of plaudits, while Greenwood, at 18, has already set his stall out with an impressive 12 goals in all competitions. This tally puts him one in front of Liverpool's Brazil international centre-forward Roberto Firmino.

Leading the way is Manchester City's prolific marksman, Sergio Aguero, who is narrowly ahead of Wolves attacker Raul Jimenez.

Considering the average age of United's three leading goal-getters is only 21.3, the fact they have each contributed so much could be a sign that the work under legendary finisher Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is paying off.

And the competition between them in terms of hitting the back of the net, now aided by Odion Ighalo since his loan arrival, promises to be really healthy in the future.

Stats correct as of 27 March 2020.

A MESSAGE TO UNITED FANS FROM OLE AND CASEY

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Casey Stoney have today written a letter to all Manchester United supporters, advising them to follow the UK Government's 'stay at home' instruction during the coronavirus pandemic.

A campaign image was also shared by all 20 Premier League clubs, to reinforce the importance of remaining indoors as much as possible to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Here is what Ole and Casey's letter had to say, as posted via the club's official Twitter account:

'Firstly, on behalf of everyone at Manchester United, our thoughts are with anyone who has been directly affected by this virus and everyone dealing with the impact of it. All our gratitude goes to the healthcare staff working on the frontline of the NHS here in the UK and in hospitals around the world at this particularly difficult time.

'We are all having to adjust – fans, players, coaches – to a new way of living, without our fix of football, although we all agree that everyone’s health and wellbeing at this time is much more important.

'These are unprecedented times and we now need to all come together to combat this global pandemic. It is important for everyone to follow government guidelines to help control the spread of COVID-19, wherever you are in the world. That’s what we’re doing at Manchester United, with all our players now training at home, following individual programmes and using technology to stay in touch with our medical, fitness and coaching staff.

'For everyone’s wellbeing, we all need to change our behaviour and look at new ways of communicating. We are lucky that many of us have access to technology that enables us to video call people so we can still see our friends and family without being face to face. By making these changes, or simply making sure we call and not visit or meet in person, we can all help save lives.

'We’re all looking forward to the football season resuming when it is safe to do so. Until then, we need to be united in looking after ourselves, our families and supporting our local communities.

'Stay safe, stay home and we hope to see you all soon.'
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Casey Stoney

UNITED CONFIRMS ARRANGEMENTS FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

Manchester United has confirmed the financial arrangements which will be put in place for ticket holders if remaining games for this season are played behind closed doors or cancelled as a result of the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The club has also reviewed deadline dates, policies and procedures around season ticket renewals for next season.

REBATE / REFUND POLICY

The club fully supports the collective intent to complete the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and the UEFA club competitions. However, if it were decided that games cannot be played, or needed to be played behind closed doors, Manchester United confirms it will offer season ticket holders either a pro-rata rebate against their season tickets for next year, or a pro-rata cash refund based on the number of games still to be played.

This rebate or a refund will also apply to supporters who have paid in advance for general admission tickets or Matchday VIP packages for the games that could be impacted this season. A rebate will also be offered to seasonal Executive Club members.

If postponed matches are played as normal, all tickets will remain valid.

Once there is more certainty around the fixture schedule, the club will directly contact all fans who are impacted to provide further information on how any rebates, cash refunds and renewals will be administered.

DEADLINE

The Season Ticket renewal deadline, initially 1 May, has been suspended. This will be continuously reviewed and a new deadline will be put in place once there is confirmation of the start date of the 2020/21 season. The club commits to giving as much notice of the revised renewal deadline as possible given the evolving situation.

Richard Arnold, Group Managing Director, said: “We appreciate the patience and the support we have had from our fans throughout this challenging time and welcome the constructive discussions we have had with MUST (Manchester United Supporters Trust) and fan representatives.

“We know our fans will not want to miss any games played in the coming months and will be disappointed if that is to be the case, but clearly we must all play our part in the efforts to combat coronavirus.

“By pushing the season ticket renewal deadline back and confirming our policy if games were to be cancelled or played behind closed doors, we want to ease any concerns our loyal fans may have in the current circumstances.

“They give Manchester United their support year after year, and at this time, we are committed to supporting them. Our message to them is clear – we are all in this together.

“We will continue to keep fans updated with any developments and, in the meantime, we encourage them to keep following the latest health advice and Government guidelines.

“As Ole and Casey said in their statement this week, stay safe, stay home and we hope to see you soon.”

HOW ONE OF BRAZIL'S 1982 WORLD CUP STARS HELPED FRED

Brazil may not have won the World Cup in 1982 but their team in Spain was one of the most flamboyant in the history of the game.

Many people felt they were destined to lift the trophy after topping their group comfortably, ahead of the Soviet Union, Scotland and New Zealand, plus rattling in 10 goals in the three games.

Their football was sensational and Tele Santana's side contained big names such as Junior, Toninho Cerezo, Socrates, Falcao, Zico and Eder.

The latter was a wide man with a rocket shot, who scored in both of the Selecao's opening games – against the Soviet Union and Scotland.

Unfortunately, the three-team group format in the next phase of the competition led to the South Americans' exit, despite them beating fierce rivals Argentina. Italy sealed their elimination after Paolo Rossi's hat-trick settled one of the all-time classic ties, 3-2, in Barcelona.

But Eder remained a favourite for those lucky enough to watch him play in that tournament and he was somebody who helped his fellow countryman Fred during the early part of his journey to Manchester United.

When Inside United asked Fred about his time at Eder's football school, he replied: “He was genuinely a coach there, he's a great guy and I’m so happy to have been coached by him. It was where it all began for me, even for what was a short period of time. He's a great person. These days, he coaches at my hometown club, Atletico Mineiro. I wish him all the best as he's a top guy.

“Brazil's a massive country, and for every 10 children, 10 want to be football players. I grew up in this environment, the land of football, dreaming of playing professionally and becoming a great player. My mum and dad were always a big influence, they helped me with everything: family, school, homework, and would always take me to football. This was all very important. I was brought up in the best way imaginable and I'm very grateful to everybody who helped me on this journey. Today, I look back and realise how much this journey was all worth it.”

Another of the midfielder's coaches was Fernandao, who had a major influence on him during his time at Internacional.

Formerly a striker in France with Marseille and Toulouse, and capped once by Brazil, he was tragically killed in a helicopter crash six years ago, at the age of 36.

“The best advice I ever received was from a coach who sadly passed away recently, Fernandao,” he told us. “He played me in the first team when I started out professionally at Internacional. He knew I loved playing football. After my first game, he came over and told me to never lose this desire to play football. That bit of advice was very important, it had a big influence upon me. I think it's some of the best advice I've had in my life and entire career.”

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM MATA'S UTD PODCAST

Juan Mata had plenty to say on his UTD Podcast, with hosts Helen Evans and David May.

The long-serving midfielder discussed a variety of topics and came out with some interesting revelations.

Our no.8 talked about life with the Galacticos at Real Madrid and disclosed who took him under his wing in the early days at Valencia.

He relived the time he ran the quickest in his life and lifted the lid on his relationships with Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.

Finally, he was asked about what the future holds - will it be in coaching or with his Common Goal initiative?

RUBBING SHOULDERS WITH THE GALACTICOS

Joining Real Madrid from Real Oviedo, aged 15, was a culture shock for the schoolboy. “It was incredible to be at the club at that time,” he recalled. “I remember being at the training ground and they had a pool area and there was a lift there from the first-team dressing room and I remember being in the pool and hearing the lift coming one day and you were always thinking who is going to get out of the lift!

“At the time, when I was playing for Real’s Under-23s, the likes of Beckham were there, Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Raul, Casillas, Roberto Carlos, one of the greatest teams ever so that lift was our dream! They were all very nice and we shared conversations and I also trained with them a few times. There was a trip that a few of us from the Under-23s did with them for a Champions League game in Kiev. Real had qualified already and it was the last game of the group so they brought some kids, which was us.

“I didn’t play but I was on the trip and I sat by Ruud van Nistelrooy on the way and he was nice to me. He gave me very good advice and was telling me about things I should do. The next day on the way to training, I sat in front of Antonio Cassano, the Italian striker and he was telling me the complete opposite and talking about all the parties he’d been to in Italy! After 10 minutes he asked me my name and then he said: ‘Don’t do anything I’ve told you to do and then you will have a career!’ [Laughs]”

VILLA'S SUPPORT WAS CRUCIAL

Spain striker David Villa played a key role in helping Juan adapt to top-flight football. “When I was in Valencia – after the Ruud conversation – when I was 19, and I was sitting in the dressing room next to David Villa,” he said. “And he's from Asturias where I'm from also, so he was like a big brother for me at the time. He was taking care of me and I think you always need someone to support you at specific times and important times in your life, especially when you are new to a professional dressing room. You come as a youngster from the Academy, like Marcus Rashford came in the beginning. He was shy, and now he's more mature. I think it's important to have this balance in a team, where you have the energy and the enthusiasm of the youngsters, and the experience and the knowledge of the experienced ones. Not the old ones [laughs] – the experienced ones!”

THE FASTEST I RAN IN MY LIFE

Juan talked about the pinnacle of any footballer's career - lifting the biggest trophy in the game. “Winning the World Cup is difficult to explain, also for the first time in Spain’s history. We’d been almost there all the time, playing good football and reaching the quarter-finals but had never made it to the semi-final or final. That year, in South Africa, everything was like magic for us.

“The moment Andres Iniesta scored in extra-time, I was on the bench and running towards him. I think I’ve never ran as fast as that sprint in my life! We ran to the corner to celebrate and what I remember was we were celebrating but the rest was silence. It was where all the Dutch fans were sitting. We were screaming but it was silence around us so it was like ‘wow’. The second was the moment the referee, Howard Webb, whistled for the end of the game. It was just ecstasy, screaming and we ran around – I kept a ball up my shirt. I wanted to keep something. We were running around and feeling we have made history here.”

HOW MY FIRST MEETING WITH VAN GAAL WENT

It was a nervous moment but Juan recalls what it was like coming to Louis van Gaal's office soon after the Dutchman's appointment. “He was scary. I tell you. He was a very nice man; a very, very nice man; very genuine and very sensible. You wouldn't expect that but he was very sensible.

“He could get emotional and was crying sometimes, when he was speaking about important matters. When he found the right values, the right football, he got emotional. I remember the first meeting we all had with him was in LA, when we were doing the pre-season tour. The manager said he wants to meet you one-by-one in this room, after dinner, and I was like okay. Everyone went, whatever and it was my turn.

“I arrive in the room and it was him, Ryan Giggs and a bottle of Rioja, red wine, with three glasses. He was like: 'Do you want a drink?' and I was: 'No, no, I'm fine'. He had a drink and said: 'Tell me who you are'. I mean my name is Juan, I am 26, I play football. 'No, no. Tell me who you are as a man. Do you have family? What do you find important in life?' And I remember he had a paper where he had set up the tactics for the team that year. 'Where do you feel you will fit best here?'

“I was like here. No? Here. No? So we had trained that pre-season with five at the back, a two and a no.10. He put me in the no.10 and said I was going to play here. It was great. I didn't want to put it myself. From that moment, he can look scary face to face and someitmes goes close to you but, after that, he was a very warm and genuine man. He was more than a football manager with tactics, he is a great human being and I learned a lot from him.”

LIFE UNDER JOSE

So how did Juan feel when Jose Mourinho took charge, the man who had sold him to United from Chelsea? Did they talk about it at the start? “No, nothing,” he replied. “So many people were asking me, 'What did you say in the beginning?' I was like: 'I'll tell you – we spoke about Manchester, and a game that Barcelona had played a few days ago, and football’. From now on, it was completely normal and good relationship between us. The respect is mutual, and we never had any personal problem.

”The situation was a football situation. He played in a certain way that maybe didn't suit perfectly my qualities as a player, and that's it. Sometimes it happens in football. But my mentality was: okay, I'm going to try. My family was a bit scared. The fans were telling me: 'What are you going to do?' But I had it clear in my mind that I'm going to stay and prove that I can play much more than people think, and I did. And it's one of the things that I feel very proud [of] in my career: having made that decision, testing myself and keeping going and playing, at the end, the Carabao Cup final, the Europa League final, and feeling an important player in the squad. That's how I felt before, and how I felt with him.

“Probably the easiest decision would have been leaving. I'm not like that at all. I believed in myself and probably that's being strong, I don't know. But that's the way I am and I wanted to be at the time. After many months and being second in the league, and winning some trophies also, with the Community Shield also.

“It's frustrating when you read [something], or when my grandad calls me. 'I've heard this, I've heard that you're going to give your no.8 to someone else and you have agreed with the manager that you will play less.’ I said, 'How could I have agreed that? Don't believe that!' But he calls me, and that's the difficult thing: to keep your family and your friends calm! ‘If something is going to happen, I will call you first, don't worry!’ But it's very difficult when he lives in Spain and watches TV. But it's frustrating because you cannot stop everything that is being written. You can't every single day put a tweet [out] saying: 'This is fake, this is not true.’ I prefer to stay away and when it's needed – because it's something really serious – then you really say it.“

WHAT WILL I DO WHEN I RETIRE?

In the future, will Juan go into coaching or does he have enough to keep him busy already with his Common Goal project? “Have I taken my badges?” he said. “No, not yet. I definitely want to be involved in Common Goal, even after playing, because I think that's something that will last forever. Coaching, I don't know. I think it's a very demanding job. Your life depends on a result. If you win, you're happy; if you don't win, you're not happy. So I have to think about it.

“If you ask me one day, I will tell you: 'No, nothing with football. I want to live life and travel.' But, after some time, I think you feel the need of coming back to what you know best, which in my case is football, because I've been playing since I was a kid. So probably something in football. I don't know if it's coaching. I don't know if it's another position within the football world. But I love football. I love watching football. I love watching players. I love playing football. So probably something with football, yes. But what, I don't know.”

MATA: WHY UNITED'S SUPPORTERS ARE PRICELESS

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has admitted he feared the fans would boo him and the team at the end of his first season at the club.

Instead, the warm reaction from the Old Trafford faithful following the final home game of the 2013/14 campaign, against Hull City, told him everything about the spirit and support of our wonderful crowd.

In a lengthy chat with David May and Helen Evans for the latest eagerly awaited UTD Podcast, which is released on Monday, the Spaniard spoke about the connection with the supporters and how two of his colleagues assured him such an attitude was only to be expected from the fans.

“What I remember the most about that first season was we always do a lap of honour, if you like, to say 'thank you and goodbye, see you next season'. I was very, very afraid of that.

“We were in seventh position in the league, a position Manchester United should never be in. I was like I'm going to wave and they're going to boos us and insult us, like they should feel. I come from Spain and know things turn difficult when a team is not performing.

“I didn't want to look at the people, just in case. I was embarrassed. About halfway [around the pitch], I realised they were clapping and singing, encouraging us and saying it doesn't matter, it's next season. This is incredible.

“It was unbelievable to have such fans behind you,” he added. “You're seventh in the league with Manchester United, having been winners the year before with Sir Alex Ferguson, but they don't lose patience. They say: 'keep going, it doesn't matter'.

“It got me a bit emotional because I didn't expect it. I'd never experienced this before in Spain. The expectations are high if a big club doesn't perform. There is a lot of pressure on them.

“I feel, in England, the fans understand more that you can lose and have a defeat. They are patient and this was the first example of it. I've had many more after that first example of how great, passionate and patient Manchester United fans are.

“It was unbelievable but I remember, when we finished, I spoke to David [De Gea] and Rio [Ferdinand] and the said they knew it was going to happen because we know them. It was just priceless.”

FISH AND CHIPS WITH FERGUSON: HOW OLE SIGNED

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may have scored the most important goal in Manchester United history – and ultimately ended up managing the club – but the Norwegian admits he might never have joined if not for a chance encounter.

Speaking exclusively to UTD Podcast, the manager relived the story of his signing and told us that a move to Wolves could have been on the cards if not for the quick thinking of club coach Jim Ryan.

“I did well for Norway one game when Jim Ryan was watching Ronnie Johnsen,” remembered Solskjaer. “I scored two decent goals. Mark McGhee was sat next to him. So Jim Ryan asked Mark McGhee: 'What are you looking for?' He needed a forward, because he was manager at Wolverhampton at the time.

“So after I scored those two goals – and with Mark McGhee next to him [and] looking for a striker – Jimmy rang the gaffer straight away: 'I've found someone, we need to be quick. I think someone else might be interested in him.' And that was it.”

The 23-year-old might have been little known to English football enthusiasts at the time, but United were far from his only suitor.

“Were Liverpool and Bayern Munich in for me? Yes, [and] Cagliari, PSV and a couple of other teams. But I wouldn't change the history. There was only one choice. It was fantastic when the call came.

“The owners of Molde asked me to come to the office. 'We've got this offer – do you fancy it?' Yeah, okay. They were going to go on holiday the next couple of days. Martin Edwards was going to go on holiday as well, so we had to come in the next day. Their private jet was down by some fault, so they booked and rented another private jet just to fly me over.”

A daunting first meeting with Alex Ferguson followed, along with a fish-and-chips meal and a chat with a stadium tour guide.

“I was nervous [before meeting Ferguson], because you're afraid that you're going to say something daft and he's going to have a wrong first impression. I knew he'd not seen me play a game, so it was an important meeting for me.

“It was just me. We had fish and chips at Old Trafford, in the restaurant back there, and it was maybe half an hour or 45 minutes. He said: 'Use the first six months in the Reserves, then after Christmas maybe we can integrate you into the first-team squad.'

“They were just negotiating the deal inside Old Trafford, and they were giving me a tour. The tour guide just asked me [why I was here] and I said 'I'm here to sign a contract'! He actually gave me his pen to sign the contract with! It was a proud moment for him as well, I think.”

Despite the nerves, Solskjaer was an instant hit at training – amid some gentle ribbing from the rest of the first team.

“When I first came, Nicky Butt's the first one I meet on the car park at the Cliff. 'Nice to meet you'... and he brought me down to the dressing room. You're nervous, but you realise quickly that they're normal lads, [who are] just good at playing football. I think they had a laugh at my expense, the boys, because I've got to be honest, I didn't look like I was a ready-made Man United player! I had youthful looks.

“I felt it [at home] straight away in training. I love training. I scored a few goals in training. I played this first game in the Reserves at Oldham, [at] Boundark Park. I scored two in that one. The first team played Everton, two each – big Dunc [Duncan Ferguson] scored two.

“So I listen to this and then Coley gets his unfortunate injury, so the next game I'm in, as a sub, and I score after six minutes! Since then, I think the fans just liked the way that I gave everything. I wasn't the most talented, not the most skilful, but I could score goals and I ran and I tackled.”

WHAT THEY SAID

The Sunday World: “Along with Karel Poborsky and Jordi Cruyff, Scandinavian duo Ronnie Johnsen and Ole Gunnar Sloksjar (sic) signed for a combined fee of £2.7 million, make up Fergie's team of flash continentals.”

The Observer: “United are not just trying out a handful of cut-price Euro hopefuls, they have identified useful players and gone for them. One of the least well known, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, from the Norwegian side Molde, could even be the answer to United's goal shortage if he continues the scoring rate – 20 in 26 games for Molde –which earned him a cap in his first full season.

Martin Edwards: ”Solskjaer is one for the future. He's only 20 years of age and he could prove incredible value if he comes on as well as we hope he will.“

TREBLE ACHIEVEMENT STANDING TEST OF TIME

'All or Nothing' is the title of Amazon's sporting documentary series, including one on Manchester City's 2017/18 season.

Yet the Blues' Champions League assault was ended, quite emphatically (5-1 on aggregate), at the quarter-final stage by Liverpool. League One side Wigan Athletic knocked City out in the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup.

This is not to downgrade their achievement in winning the Premier League and League Cup but it wasn't really a case of all or nothing. Nor, as it turned out, was Liverpool's campaign this term. For all the talk of them being among the league's greatest-ever teams, Jurgen Klopp's men ended up falling well short of any Treble.

And it seems to happen most years - stories emerge predicting the leading clubs will repeat United's feat but, thus far, they always fail.

In the closing stages of the 1998/99 season, it genuinely was all or nothing for United. We'd had the nothing four years earlier when drawing at West Ham United to miss out on the title and then suffering a hangover that led to defeat in the FA Cup final to Everton. Doubles in 1994 and 1996, only dejection in the year in between.

The Champions League added a whole new level of excitement to the Treble season. We hadn't reached the final of the competition since 1968, remember, and it remained the only time we'd won the European Cup.

So the stakes could not have been higher and it was only when we entered into the home straight that the stuff of dreams could only start to be contemplated.

After all, it was not like United were coasting to the title and able to rest players, even if Alex Ferguson did have a deep squad at his disposal. When we lost at home to Middlesbrough a week before Christmas, nobody would have predicted the Reds would remain unbeaten for the remainder of the campaign.

When Liverpool were leading heading into the final minutes at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fourth round, an exit from the competition appeared inevitable. Two rounds later, in the last eight, I think most of us had resigned ourselves to the run ending at Chelsea, who were among the best teams in the division, after they took us back to Stamford Bridge for a replay, following a 0-0 draw.

Of course, when Dennis Bergkamp stepped up to take the penalty in the semi-final, thoughts quickly turned to the prospect of the Gunners doing a second Double in successive years. Peter Schmeichel's save and Ryan Giggs's stupendous solo goal proved to be glorious turning points.

A week later, Juventus took an early two-goal lead in the Champions League semi-final second leg and all seemed lost again. Italian sides, particularly this mighty Juve one, simply did not leak goals at home. But, somehow, we turned it around.

A goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers set up the following scenario:

16 May: Tottenham (H) - Premier League
22 May: Newcastle (N) - FA Cup final
26 May: Bayern Munich (N) - Champions League final.

All or nothing.

The Reds needed to beat Spurs to be sure of the title and, predictably, fell behind in order to do things the hard way. No easy ride, even if the last thing any Tottenham fan wanted was for Arsenal to be handed the trophy.

Arsene Wenger's Londoners had been three points clear, having played a game more, as late as matchweek 38, after winning the derby with Spurs, while United drew 2-2 at Liverpool. But Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's late strike for Leeds against the leaders had opened the door, the night before our stalemate at Ewood Park.

Hence, matters were in our hands and we did the job, in stressful circumstances, securing the victory required to stay one point clear of Arsenal, who defeated Aston Villa on the final day.

As nervous as that day was at Old Trafford, the Wembley final with Newcastle United proved more straightforward, even though the manager shuffled his pack a little and lost inspirational skipper Roy Keane early on. A third Double in five years in the bag, after a 2-0 triumph, but the big one, the one that would define this team was on the horizon.

We all know the supernatural events that occurred in the Nou Camp against Bayern Munich. Anybody there knows how blessed we were to witness one of sport's most amazing finales. I've spoken to many of the heroes from that night and they are keen to point out how badly we played and there was a great deal of luck involved. Yet I feel this is used to sometimes downplay the overall achievement. That seems to have been the case this year.

Even the main man, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, suggested recently it is harder to do the Treble now than it was back then. I would never like to argue with the manager but, to be frank, I think he is wrong. It is probably just his natural humble nature, which he shares with his colleagues from 1999, which is behind such statements.

His reasoning was Arsenal were the only main challengers domestically, and yet Chelsea also topped the table and there was some strength in depth. Chelsea had Marcel Desailly, Gianluca Vialli and Gianfranco Zola. Hasselbaink was banging the goals in for Leeds. Alan Shearer was Newcastle's spearhead and talisman. Liverpool had a strikeforce of Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen. It was also more difficult to even enter the competition - we needed a play-off with LKS Lodz despite finishing runners-up to the Gunners in the Premier League.

And, what's more, we did it the hard way.

Drawn in a European group of death containing Barcelona and Bayern Munich, we racked up 20 goals and provided some glorious entertainment in order to reach the knock-out stages. Two-legged ties with Inter Milan and Juventus, both at home first, were true tests of our mettle. Bayern, themselves going for a Treble, in the final. And we were deprived of Keane and Paul Scholes in midfield, prompting the boss to name a unique XI that was only ever fielded once.

In the FA Cup, we faced Middlesbrough, who had beaten us a couple of weeks earlier and finished ninth in the standings, Liverpool (seventh), Fulham (won the Second Division with 101 points), Chelsea (3rd) and Arsenal (2nd) before seeing off Newcastle (13th) at Wembley. I reckon that will compare favourably with most victors' runs in the competition if you are talking about difficulty of opponents.

So, for me, the Treble cannot ever be disrespected. Other teams will, no doubt, get close to it (let's not forget we had to beat Liverpool in 1977 to stop them pulling it off). Will anybody ever repeat it, though? Let's just say it is not as easy as people seem to think it is when the trophies start getting handed out and the pressure is truly on with glory or failure in the balance.

HOW IT FELT TO COMMENTATE ON 'JUANFIELD' IN 2015

Anfield is the hardest place for United to go in the Premier League.

The hostility, the intensity, the pure venom – there’s nothing like it. And yet, United’s record at Anfield is more than decent – 12 wins in 28 Premier League visits.

There have been some incredibly memorable wins: John O’Shea’s smash and grab, Diego Forlan’s double, Wayne Rooney scoring in front of the Kop, Gary Pallister’s headed brace and the day Jamie Carragher scored two own goals!

But how many times can you honestly say that United went to L4 and totally outplayed their hosts? It happened on March 22nd 2015 – when Anfield, in our eyes, became ‘Juanfield’.

For me, it was United’s best Premier League performance at Anfield.

Liverpool always come flying out of the traps when United are in town. Not this time – they simply couldn’t live with United’s tempo and intensity.

The brilliance of Juan Mata’s second goal means no-one tends to mention his first – but it was fantastic. A wonderfully weighted through-ball from Ander Herrera and a composed finish from his Spanish compatriot in front of The Kop. It was as though everything that manager Louis van Gaal had been meticulously coaching over the previous eight months had come together at the perfect time.

Before the main stand at Anfield was redeveloped, the commentary position was in rather a daunting position! It was in an overspill row behind the press box with Liverpool fans right behind you. I was commentating with Paddy Crerand, who used to dread being in such an exposed place – let’s just say that plenty of banter was sent our way over the years sitting there!

But on that afternoon at half time, the fans behind us were full of praise for United but also really angry about the poverty of the Liverpool display. There would surely be a response from Liverpool in the second half – there was, but not what they were hoping for!

Enter Steven Gerrard. He came on as a half-time substitute and went off again 38 seconds later! The man who’d so often been United’s nemesis saw red for an awful challenge on Herrera.

Another substitute had a rather more positive impact – Angel Di Maria. One of the Argentinian’s last acts in a United shirt was to lift a clever ball into the area for Mata to deposit a brilliant low finish past Simon Mignolet with an acrobatic scissor kick.

I described it as “one of the great United goals at Anfield”.

“It couldn’t happen to a nicer fella”, said Paddy.

Mata has won three major trophies at Old Trafford and scored in the FA Cup final, and yet it’s this goal that will always define his United career.

There was still more than half an hour to go – could United go on and make it embarrassing for Liverpool? Well, there’s a reason why United haven’t won by more than a single goal at Anfield since 1997. Liverpool’s pride kicked in and Daniel Sturridge got them back into the game after 69 minutes.

Suddenly, we were shifting uneasily in our seats; 2-1 just didn’t reflect United’s superiority.

Late on, there was the perfect chance to put a more realistic gloss on the score-line. United were awarded a penalty for a foul on Daley Blind – but Wayne Rooney was denied by Mignolet.

The final whistle brought an end to any lingering anxiety and the United fans in the Anfield Road End could begin the celebrations and what raucous and extended celebrations they were!

I rushed down to the tunnel to carry out post-match interviews. We set up in a cramped enclave just off the main corridor. Louis was beaming with pride at the performance of his side and Mata elated.

This was the day when it all came together for van Gaal’s United – a golden period with big wins over City and Spurs and, ultimately, a top-four finish.

I’ve seen United play at Anfield 24 times – and I’ve never seen them play as well as on that Spring afternoon in 2015.

Maguire key to United's defensive improvement

Amid all the fanfare surrounding Bruno Fernandes's arrival and and fabulous impact at Manchester United, the recent improvement made by the team's defence has gone relatively unnoticed.

How fitting, then, that the leader of our rearguard efforts, Harry Maguire, has been given a nod of approval via a nomination for the March Player-of-the-Month award.

United have been banging in the goals since Fernandes and Odion Ighalo joined the ranks, but the Reds have also been something close to flawless at the back, with nine clean sheets in our last 11 games and just two goals conceded.

Maguire himself would no doubt be loath to take much individual credit for this increased solidity, but anyone who watched our games in March could see a man simply growing in stature with every passing minute.

Our schedule was sadly cut short due to the developing coronavirus pandemic, but the Yorkshireman was inspirational in the three matches he played in before the raft of postponements hit the club's fixture list.

The away game at Everton on 1 March was almost a perfect example of how United have progressed during the last couple of months. The first half was a delightful blizzard of confident, creative attacking play – bar an uncharacteristic David De Gea mistake – which perfectly encapsulated how Bruno has liberated the midfield and forward line with his creativity and wit.

But in the second half, the Toffees came roaring back, most notably with an almost ridiculous number of set-pieces. Everton had 13 corners, and Maguire headed away the overwhelming majority, relieving pressure on the goalkeeper and fellow members of the backline.

Incredibly, the 26-year-old made 15 clearances in the contest – a brave and colossal effort in what, at times, was a siege-like scenario.

As each corner floated into the box, the sight of Maguire whipping bodies out of the way to get his famously prominent noggin on the ball had Reds dewy-eyed, as their thoughts drifted to legendary, fearless foreheads of the past such as those owned by Nemanja Vidic and Steve Bruce.

Worryingly, Maguire missed the next match, away at Derby, after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed the centre-back had rolled his ankle.

That news had fans squirming. With the Manchester derby just days away – and Maguire's absence for the 3-1 defeat to City in January still fresh in the mind – to be without our captain was a notion almost too unpleasant to consider.

To our relief, Maguire made the starting XI, and was superb in a tight, nerve-wracking 2-0 victory over Pep Guardiola's men. It also continued the former Leicester defender's record of having played every minute of the current Premier League season so far.

“He's a warrior and he wants to play,” Solskjaer told journalists in January. “If it's only a minor problem, he will put himself up to play.”

United fans do not underestimate the value of that willingness to go through the pain barrier, given the many defensive injuries that have plagued the squad in recent years.

Against LASK, in the final match before the enforced break, Maguire was again excellent, stewarding the Reds calmly to another comfortable win. With the game being played behind closed doors, there was also an interesting chance for attending journalists to note the skipper's vocal leadership of the team, which could be clearly heard.

Several other players might have grabbed more headlines and stimulated more Twitter mentions from clickbait football accounts this month, but teams are not built on measurable stats alone.

In my opinion, Maguire's resilience against Everton, and his willingness to overcome injury and lead United in the Manchester derby were important moments for the team Solskjaer is building.

If you want stats, a hatful of them can be chucked Maguire's way in praise of the big defender. No United player has completed more passes in the Premier League, or made more clearances than his 131 (80 of which are headed). He's won 136 aerial battles!

But how do you measure Maguire's nerveless composure on the ball? Or the calmness he brings to the backline?

What about that desire to take responsibility at set-pieces and with crosses? The example he sets to his team-mates by making himself available when knocks and niggles could afford him a breather?

These are the intangibles that glue teams together; that build confidence and steel collective resolve.

On that note, there's a fair argument to say that March 2020 was the month when Harry Maguire truly cemented himself as the leader of this Manchester United side. For that, he gets my vote for this edition of the club's Player-of-the-Month award.

Mata and Grant reveal how Reds are training at home

Manchester United team-mates Juan Mata and Lee Grant have provided a unique insight into how the players are keeping fit, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect sport and society.

The postponement of all football has now been extended from 3 to 30 April, following an announcement that was communicated by the FA, Premier League and EFL on Thursday afternoon.

The club continues to review the coronavirus situation day by day, but in light of the latest governmental guidance, and as a sensible precaution, it was confirmed earlier this week that the first team, women's team and Academy players are all training individually, away from club facilities.

With millions of United fans craving ‘live’ football, we have this week been streaming classic games in full and for free as part of the ‘Match Rewind’ campaign. On Sunday, to mark the five-year anniversary, we will show the 2-1 win over Liverpool in which Mata scored twice at Anfield.

In a special ‘United Hangout’ to preview that re-run, we caught up with the experienced Spaniard via video call and began by asking how he is coping as a player in these unprecedented times.

“We are coping okay,” says Mata. “We are obviously in the house, trying to stay fit, trying to train how we can, doing some exercise in the house and whoever has a garden, they are in the garden.

“We are just trying to stay fit. We are being patient and calm, that is the only thing we can do now. We have to wait, we have to trust the experts and we have to wait until we can play football again.”

United goalkeeper Grant also took part in the call and he supplied added detail on what the players are doing at home, with the good-humoured stopper admitting his family will be involved next week.

“We have been in constant contact with the coaches and, of course, I have been in touch with the goalkeeping coaches,” explains Grant. “We have got our own special programme and, really, it just centres around doing as much as we can within the confines and the safety of our own houses.

“Of course, we are utilising what equipment we have and, as Juan says, the garden has come into play as well. Of course, I will be dragging the kids into being involved with me as well next week, seeing as they will be off school, so it will be a total family fitness-slash-PE, extravaganza in the mornings!

“So, we are really just doing what we can and trying to follow, as closely as we can, the programmes that the club have given us.”

Club legend Darren Fletcher also joined our current first-team players in looking forward to Sunday’s stream of ‘Juanfield’ and, as the Scot explains, the coronavirus is affecting everybody.

“Obviously, I am doing my coaching badges and it stops me from doing that, as well as bits and pieces of media,” says Fletch. “It stops a lot of things, really, but at the same time I am not as active as these guys. It has not really stopped me too much in that respect.

“It must be a challenge for the players because you have to keep yourself fit and be ready to go. But they are used to that because nowadays, when you are off for the summer, nobody really switches off completely. Everyone stays fit, you have be professional 24/7 nowadays.

“So these guys know what they are doing and they are the ultimate professionals. You have got two expert pros in Juan and Lee as well, who will be setting the standards.”

#ACityUnited: Clubs come together to donate to local food banks

Manchester United and Manchester City have donated a combined £100,000 to help food banks in Greater Manchester meet increased demand from vulnerable people, as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Following a new co-operation between the MCFC and MUFC Fans' Foodbanks to launch a fund-raising appeal in response to the impact of coronavirus, each club will donate £50,000 to the Trussell Trust. The Trussell Trust support a network of over 1,200 food-bank centres, including 19 in the Greater Manchester area, which will be the beneficiaries of this donation.

The donations will help local food banks increase capacity and compensate for the temporary loss of food donations on matchdays through the MCFC Fans' Foodbank Support and MUFC Fans' Foodbank.

These groups usually collect supplies outside Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium before home games but this has been interrupted by the suspension of football due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a joint-statement, Manchester City and Manchester United said: “We are proud of the role our supporters play in helping local food banks and recognise the increased strain likely to be placed on these charities by the impact of coronavirus. At a time of challenge for our community, we are pleased to come together with our fans to help vulnerable members of society in a City United.”

Commenting on the donation, MCFC Fans' Foodbank Support, said: “We're delighted that City and United have donated such a huge amount to Fans Supporting Foodbanks. This will be an enormous help for the Greater Manchester community at a time when people need it most. We'd like to thank everyone on both sides for demonstrating that hunger doesn't wear club colours, and for the show of community solidarity.”

A spokesperson for the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) said: “MUST has been operating our Fans' Foodbank donation collection service on Manchester United home matchdays for some time but, with the impact of coronavirus, we have been forced to switch to appealing for online cash donations only. The news that Manchester United and Manchester City have agreed to make such a large contribution is fantastic news and will make a huge difference supporting vulnerable people in communities across Manchester at this time.”

The Trussell Trust’s senior operations manager Rachel Macklin said: “As the coronavirus pandemic develops, more people than ever may need help from food banks across our network. This situation presents a huge additional pressure on already overstretched resources. We may start to see a reduction in food donations and volunteers may become unavailable if they are in the at-risk categories or are self-isolating.

“We’re working closely with our network to understand each food bank’s situation, offer guidance, and work out how we can best support them. We know we won’t be able to do this alone, so we are truly grateful for the support Manchester United and Manchester City are showing local food banks. On behalf of food banks in our network in Manchester, we thank you so much.”

Fernandes voted Player of the Month for March

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has outlined the qualities that have earned Bruno Fernandes successive Player-of-the-Month awards since he joined the club earlier this year.

The Portugal international has been a revelation since joining the Reds and picks up the March Player-of-the-Month trophy today, after landing the overall Premier League prize for February.

Although the current pause in action has halted his progress, the attacking midfielder looks very much at home at Old Trafford already and beat off competition from Odion Ighalo, Fred and Harry Maguire to scoop the accolade.

Former England skipper Robson believes Bruno's integration into the group has been swift because he has seen it first hand.

“I think it’s been a terrific impact and the first signs are he looks like a top player,” Robson told us. “He is always on the move, always wanting the ball, has got a great touch and makes double movements, a bit like Scholesy used to do.

“It’s where you go one way and come back and you’ve got a couple of yards of space, so he can get on the ball in that way. His energy levels and pace looks really good and he has showed he can hit a pass and score goals. So the initial period where he’s been at the club looks great. Great signs. He just needs to work on his heading ability! [laughs]

“I’ve already seen him around the training camp and he gets on really well with the boys, seeing as he’s only been here a couple of months,” added Robbo. “What I do like to see when he’s on the pitch is, even though he’s a forward-minded player, he’s already swivelling and looking on his shoulder, demanding of his team-mates.

“He’s telling people to push in and have them where he wants them, which is great. We needed a bit of that because, no matter what you say about some of our other players, who are really good, I still feel they can all get better in demanding from their team-mates and getting them into the positions you want them in. I see Bruno does that, so that’s great. It means the team shape is going to be good most of the time, when you’ve got players demanding from their team-mates.”

Obviously, Robson knows a thing or two about leadership qualities having been an inspiration and driving force at United in his playing days. He feels Bruno is displaying some of these qualities, which indicate what sort of character he has.

“I think it helps that he was captain at Sporting,” Robson explained. “ I just think it’s something that is naturally in you. Bruno looks as though he has got that natural leadership quality, where he demands from his team-mates and that’s good. I can see it in Harry Maguire, since he was made captain, it’s coming out in him and he’s organising the people around him.

“I think Victor Lindelof is another one who is improving on that side and they’re organising the people around them. For Bruno, being an attack-minded player, to be doing that is a great attribute for the team as well as the ability he has got.”

Revealed: United's fastest player so far this season

Speed has become a devastating weapon in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s young and improving squad this season, but who is currently the quickest player at Manchester United?

This break from football has allowed us to reflect on data that is kept by statistical experts Opta and their forensic records show which Reds topped the pace charts in each Premier League fixture.

It may not surprise you to learn that livewire forward Daniel James has clocked the fastest individual speed in 12 of our 29 top-flight matches this campaign, which is more than any of his team-mates.

Marcus Rashford is second on the overall list after registering the top speeds in nine league games before his back injury, suffered in January, ruled the top scorer out for at least three to four months.

However, while they are consistently the quickest, you will be interested to learn that neither of the fleet-footed Reds have produced the single highest pace at United this season. So who is it? Keep scrolling to discover who is number one…

IT’S GOLD FOR GREENWOOD

Gifted Academy product Mason Greenwood recently threw his name into the hat to become United’s fastest player this season by producing a blistering top speed of 37.60 km/h. That is higher than any other Red this campaign.

It was officially noted by Opta earlier this month, on Sunday 1 March, during the striker’s hard-working performance as a starter in the 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park.

As a result, Greenwood has overtaken our combative midfielder Fred in the pace table – after the Brazilian unleashed a sprint of 37.29 km/h in our Old Trafford draw with the Toffees in December.

Check out the current top speeds this season so far…

Everton (a) = Greenwood (37.60)
Everton (h) = Fred (37.29)
Burnley (a) = James (36.90)
Liverpool (a) = James (36.50)
Crystal Palace (h) = Rashford (36.32)

*All speeds recorded in km/h.

FASTEST SPEEDS THIS SEASON

According to Opta, these are the quickest players from our 29 Premier League matches this season…

Chelsea = James (33.52)
Wolverhampton Wanderers = Rashford (33.33)
Crystal Palace = Rashford (36.32)
Southampton = James (34.24)
Leicester City = James (35.04)
West Ham United = James (33.81)
Arsenal = Rashford (35.53)
Newcastle United = James (34.09)
Liverpool = Rashford (33.39)
Norwich City = Rashford (33.70)
Bournemouth = Rashford (33.67)
Brighton & Hove Albion = Rashford (36.15)
Sheffield United = James (35.70)
Aston Villa = James (35.08)
Tottenham Hotspur = Rashford (34.39)
Manchester City = Lingard (34.43)
Everton = Fred (37.29)
Watford = Rashford (34.39)
Newcastle United = Andreas (34.68)
Burnley = James (36.90)
Arsenal = James (34.41)
Norwich City = Williams (34.04)
Liverpool = James (36.50)
Burnley = Jones (34.44)
Wolverhampton Wanders = Lindelof (35.17)
Chelsea = James (34.09)
Watford = Chong (35.47)
Everton = Greenwood (37.60)
Manchester City = James (35.21)

Ighalo scoffs at shirt suggestion

Odion Ighalo has revealed he did not have a name on the back of his Manchester United shirt as a youngster because he was unable to afford it.

The Nigerian striker, who has four goals in eight appearances since joining the club in January, has settled perfectly into life at Old Trafford.

Growing up in his homeland, he supported the Reds and particularly looked up to Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. Pictures have emerged of him wearing the blue away shirt, previously adorned by his current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and the rest of the team in the 2005/06 season.

However, the new crowd favourite laughed at the suggestion he would have had letters printed on the back of the top.

“I had a United jersey but no player name on the back,” he told Inside United, the official club magazine. “It was one of the old blue ones but definitely no name on the back. You have to pay to put names on the back and there was no money to pay for that! I just got the United top.

“It was a blue one but a long time ago. I can’t remember as I was very, very young.”

Watching the Reds play on TV in Nigeria was memorable for the striker and he is delighted that his fellow countrymen have been supporting him back home.

“It’s good – you have to go to an event centre and pay to watch the games,” he explained. “Any time United were playing, I’d go with my siblings. You’d have to pay to watch the games and now people are watching me and United. It is a big fan-base and it is growing even much bigger.

“Everybody is sending me messages saying they can’t wait to see me and watch the United games. I am very happy about that.”

Ighalo also revealed a surreal moment after playing for Watford at Old Trafford in March, 2016, his second visit to the Theatre of Dreams.

“When did I first set my eyes on it?” he said. “It was in 2013 when I came to see the stadium, to visit it and go around, taking pictures outside the stadium. The first time I played there was for Watford in 2016.

”Manchester United is a big club. When I saw that, I was amazed. I was outside the stadium and I took pictures. Then I played there with Watford, against United, and it made me even more happy. I came out of the stadium and stood looking at it.

“This is the stadium you have been watching back home when you were young and now you’re playing here for Watford against Man United. It feels good.

“And even now, playing for United? It’s making even greater moments for me.“

Solskjaer pays tribute to Peter Whittingham

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has paid tribute to his former Cardiff City player Peter Whittingham, who has sadly passed away at the age of 35.

It was announced earlier this afternoon that Whittingham died in hospital after suffering a head injury last week.

He retired in 2018 after a 15-year career which also took in spells at Aston Villa, Burnley, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, but was best associated with the Bluebirds, where he played under Solskjaer in the Premier League in 2014.

Paying tribute, Solskjaer said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Whittingham.

“Peter was a fantastic footballer and an incredible human being. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him during my time at Cardiff City.

“It’s hard to believe that he has been taken from us at such a young age. Peter will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.”

Everybody's thoughts at Manchester United are with the family of Peter Whittingham at this difficult time.

Full statement: Football suspended until 30 April

The postponement of all football due to the coronavirus pandemic has now been extended from 3 to 30 April, following an announcement communicated by governing bodies this afternoon.

VIA PREMIERLEAGUE.COM

“The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.

“We are united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.

“We have collectively supported UEFA in postponing EURO 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.

“The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that ‘the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June’ and ‘each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season’.

“However, The FA’s Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019/20 season in relation to Professional Football.

“Additionally, we have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than 30 April.

“The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority. We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow.

“We would all like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.”

United to protect casual workers’ earnings

Manchester United will pay all its loyal matchday and non-matchday casual workers, should Premier League games be cancelled or played behind closed doors for the remainder of this season.

This goodwill gesture reflects the club’s desire to reduce the financial uncertainty facing its casual workforce, and is in recognition of the crucial role they play in delivering services to supporters.

All Premier League games are currently suspended until at least 30 April.

Discussions are ongoing with the Premier League about what will happen to games after that date, including the four remaining games scheduled to be played at Old Trafford this season.

The goodwill payment will be made to all matchday and non-matchday casual workers who have worked for the club in the past three months.

Ed Woodward, Executive Vice Chairman, said: “We rely on our outstanding staff to deliver an exceptional service and experience to fans at Old Trafford.

“We understand that these are unprecedented circumstances and want to give them security whatever may happen regarding our remaining fixtures this season. We look forward to welcoming back all our supporters - and our colleagues - to Old Trafford as soon as possible.”

Why March was Odion Ighalo's month

You’ve heard the arguments as to why Bruno Fernandes and Fred should be crowned March Player of the Month, and you’ll get another piece stating Harry Maguire’s case tomorrow.

But I think Odion Ighalo has a greater claim to the prize than all three.

In a truncated month where, admittedly, United only played four games, the Nigerian was our leading goalscorer, notching three times in his two starts, against Derby County in the Emirates FA Cup and LASK in the Europa League.

There were also brief but bountiful cameo appearances at Goodison Park and in the Manchester derby, as the on-loan striker started to edge himself towards that special category of ‘cult fan favourites’ Old Trafford revellers hold so dear. Think Diego Forlan, Henrik Larsson and Mark Robins.

It’s so easy to forget that Odion arrived in Manchester short of match practice. A reminder, too, that he didn’t even meet the rest of his team-mates until they’d returned from a mid-season training camp in Marbella.

I interviewed the Nigerian at Old Trafford a couple of weeks ago, in the run-up to the Derby and City clashes, and he told me he was still taking things slowly.

“Don’t forget I came from China,” Ighalo said. “I’ve not played a competitive game since December. I last played 90 minutes in November.

“England is faster, it’s sharper and [Ole Gunnar Solskjaer] knows about all this. It’s okay to go bit by bit until I get to that level.”

If March qualifies as ‘bit by bit’ for Ighalo, I’m looking forward to seeing what he might produce when it’s safe for football to resume.

The month started with a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park, during which Ighalo replaced Mason Greenwood, with the Reds level but fighting to save a point in the face of a second-half Toffees’ onslaught.

Even so, the Nigerian could have netted a late winner, only to see his snapshot brilliantly saved by the legs of Jordan Pickford.

Four days later, we travelled to Derby in the FA Cup and, although much of the pre-match focus was on former Red Wayne Rooney, it was to be Odion’s night at Pride Park.

After Luke Shaw had crashed home to give United the lead, Ighalo took control, evading the challenges of several Rams’ defenders prior to slotting in.

He then added a second close to the end as the Reds rolled through to a sixth consecutive quarter-final – a run that is now unmatched in club history.

Although he was only on the pitch for mere minutes, Ighalo further warmed himself to the M16 faithful in our memorable Manchester derby win.

With United seeking to protect our one-goal lead, Odion demonstrated all the attributes you want from a centre forward, including strength to hold off Fernandinho and awareness to slow down play and maintain possession.

Plus, who can forget him jumping for joy after Scott McTominay’s incredible 40-yarder?

In our final outing of the month, in the eerie surroundings of the empty Linzer Stadion, Ighalo then netted his finest goal yet for the Reds.

Receiving a chipped pass from Fernandes on his right foot, the 30-year-old juggled it on to his left, then back to his right before switching feet again to launch a rocket into Alexander Schlager’s top right-hand corner.

That strike set us on the way to a 5-0 win which ensures we have one foot in the Europa League quarter-finals, when they go ahead.

Of course, football is suspended for at least the next few weeks, but with Anthony Martial an injury doubt for at least the postponed visit to Spurs and Marcus Rashford still recovering from a back problem, it looked as if Ighalo had done everything he could in March to establish himself as United's first-choice forward.

And that, coupled with the fact Fernandes has got enough awards to keep him going for a while, is why he gets my nod for Player of the Month.

Fantastic Fred continues to thrive

Not even Fred’s most ardent supporters could have predicted just how important he would become to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side this season.

It seems a long time ago that the Brazilian’s every movement and kick of a ball was scrutinised by the press, much of it unfairly so. Oddly, the biggest compliment that Fred can be paid is how little he’s been talked about in the media of late.

After a stop-start first campaign in English football, our no.17 missed the first four matches of the current Premier League term and was introduced off the bench in the following three. Yet, since then, the midfielder has been possibly the most solid and consistent member of the United squad and has missed just 11 minutes of football in the last 22 league games.

In that period, no-one has featured more than Fred, and only Harry Maguire has played more games for the Reds in all competitions this season. The regular run of matches has also helped Fred find a rhythm and routine that his game had previously lacked, while a year’s experience playing in England means he is fully up to speed with the physicality and pace of the Premier League

Fred’s showings in January demonstrated this, as he was given our Player-of-the-Month award, with stand-out performances like in the 4-0 win over Norwich City - in which he made his 50th appearance for the Reds - and in the defeat at Liverpool the following week, where Fred led our attempted second-half fightback.

It was with another trip to Merseyside where Fred, and United, began March. Again, it was a difficult afternoon, one in which the Reds had to recover from a disappointing opening 10 minutes. Yet Fred was instrumental as we dragged our way back into the contest. While it may have been Bruno Fernandes who smashed the ball past Jordan Pickford in the home goal to earn a 1-1 draw, the Portuguese midfielder was only granted so much attacking freedom due to Fred’s defensive discipline.

In the latter periods of that game, it felt like a real backs-to-the-wall job, especially after Scott McTominay was replaced in the 72nd minute. Flanked alongside Nemanja Matic in the engine room, Fred not only helped to shield the back four, but drove the side forward in search of a winning goal.

Four days later, it was a very different story at Pride Park, on an evening when United sealed a spot in the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals. Of Fred’s four performances this month, that display against Derby County was perhaps the least spectacular, but his calmness and composure on the ball helped the Reds assert our dominance in the clash.

The possession stats told their own story, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men enjoying 62 per cent of the ball. Not even the experienced Wayne Rooney could get the better of his counterpart, and our former skipper was booked just before half-time for bringing Fred down.

If the triumph over Derby felt a little routine at times, the following one, against Manchester City, was anything but.

Lesser midfielders would have balked at the prospect of facing Rodri’s physicality, the silkiness of Bernardo Silva and passing range of Ilkay Gundogan, but Fred took it all in his stride and emerged on top of that battle in the centre of the park. The Brazilian’s highlights reel from that afternoon included a skilful nutmeg on Oleksandr Zinchenko, repeated long, driven passes out to the wing and he also should have been awarded a penalty, late in the first half, after being brought down in the area by Nicolas Otamendi.

Our South American star finished the month off with a trip to Austria to take on LASK and achieved a first in his United career: two assists in a single game. The first came courtesy of an inch-perfect ball into Juan Mata, before the Spaniard tucked it home. The pass truly was sublime - the vision, weight and placement were perfect and it seemed to afford Mata an extra few seconds in order to get his shot away. Fred also set up the final goal of the evening when his quick free-kick was laid off for Andreas Pereira to strike from distance.

It wrapped things up nicely for the 27-year-old, in a month in which he again demonstrated his improvement in a red shirt. The defensive discipline against Everton, the ball retention at Pride Park, the offensive movement in the Manchester derby and the range of passing against LASK: Fred’s game continues to develop and grow and it feels he has achieved a degree of consistent excellence that appeared unlikely in his debut season.

Without question, Fred deserves to a be a nominee for the March Player-of-the-Month award and who would bet against him adding another trophy to the one he won in January?