Man Utd files: Carrick axes Amorim leadership group after horror start as Brandon Williams fails to earn League Two deal

MANCHESTER UNITED’S six-man leadership group is officially no more. Former coach Ruben Amorim resurrected the group in summer 2025, with Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Tom Heaton, Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martinez added to it. Michael Carrick has disbanded United’s notorious leadership group Credit: Getty The week has been dominated by JJ Gabriel, but Noah Ajayi (above) is another jewel of the Man Utd academy Credit: Getty But it has now been disbanded, with Fernandes still the club captain and Maguire the de facto vice-captain. Youri Tielemans skippered United against Brighton in midweek despite the presence of Dalot, the squad’s second-longest servant, in the starting XI. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Erik ten Hag was the first United manager to assemble a leadership group in 2022-23. Fernandes, Maguire, Heaton, David de Gea, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Marcus Rashford were the octet. UNITED’S ‘OTHER’ JJ GABRIEL United possess another talented left winger in their academy in the form of Noah Ajayi. The 17-year-old has enjoyed a blistering start to the season with United’s Under-18s and Under-19s. Ajayi missed out on the first team’s pre-season due to an ankle injury, but he is set to play a role for the Under-21s this term. The German born star often started on the left flank, when other left winger JJ Gabriel played as the No10 or striker for Darren Fletcher‘s Under-18s last season. Ajayi is 6ft2in and physically strong, which gives him a step up over other young players. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK He is set to play a role in first team training sessions this season. The best young player in the country Gabriel, 15, asked to leave United on Monday morning, hours after the Manchester derby defeat. His camp believe he has played his last game for the club. AWKWARD MOMENT One United supporter was in an awkward spot when the ‘The way you treat us is a disgrace’ banner was unfurled before the Manchester derby. Director of fan engagement Rick McGagh was stood seats away from the banner and in the same row. McGagh was pictured having a nervous glance to his left. The banner was not passed along the Stretford End, so McGagh did not have to handle the explicit message to the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. McGagh, who was appointed to the role by former chief executive Richard Arnold, received stick from some season-ticket holders last year after he was pictured with darts champion Luke Littler at Molineux. United said Adidas arranged for Littler’s tickets. Man Utd’s director of fan engagement narrowly avoided an awkward picture with this banner Credit: PA Brandon Williams remains on the hunt for a new club Credit: Shutterstock RED FAREWELL Michael Farrell recently left United. Don’t worry, it is forgivable if you have not heard of him. Despite two rounds of redundancies that slashed the club’s workforce by a third, United installed Farrell as their “head of culture” last year. Farrell held three titles at United relating to performance and player wellbeing before his promotion in June 2025. After 11 years at the club, there was the typically lengthy Linkedin sign-off that ends with “more to follow from the next chapter” The full United squad, Michael Carrick, director of football Jason Wilcox and backroom staff posed for Farrell’s departure shot in the Carrington canteen. The image was taken in May. WILL I NEVER Former United full back Brandon Williams’ stint training with League Two side Rochdale has already ended. Williams, 26, has been without a club since he left Hull City in February but spent some time training with Rochdale recently, and Rotherham before that. That arrangement has now ended. The Mancunian received a suspended sentence in May 2025 for dangerous driving after a high-speed crash. Over 150 locals have attended public consultations over the Old Trafford masterplan Credit: AP Fans will be able to have their say on the new 100k-capacity Wembley of the North Credit: AFP STADIUM PLANNING United officials were at the final public consultation event for the Old Trafford masterplan on Tuesday night. Organisers estimate over 150 local residents attended the four events, with a further 250 at the initial unveiling at Old Trafford in July and every business in the catch area has been contacted. The actual consultation period doesn’t end until Tuesday, when Trafford Council will assess the responses. While it is not anticipated formal planning permission will be submitted until late 2027, the Mayoral Development Corporation – led by Lord Seb Coe – are next due to sit down in November. United will be offering fans a chance to have their say ahead of finalising their planned 100,000-capacity Wembley of the North. United are working towards their new stadium being operational in time for the 2035 Women’s World Cup. Man Utd ratings vs Brighton: Lacey a shining light on dark evening as Heaven and Yoro ripped apart MANCHESTER UNITED suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exit at Old Trafford as Brighton came from two goals down to reach the last 16. It is the first time in 50 years that United have held a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford and lost the game. The Red Devils were in dreamland after early goals from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount, before the Seagulls took control and mounted a stunning comeback. United have not won a domestic cup match since beating Leicester in the FA Cup in February 2025 and again crashed out at first attempt of the Carabao Cup following last season’s horror show at Grimsby. Michael Carrick is feeling the heat after goals Charalampos Kostoulas, Pascal Gross and Maxim De Cuyper ended one of two potential trophy hopes this season. Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the United players from Old Trafford, as Brighton picked up a fifth straight victory in M16... Comment now