Michael Carrick has rejected the growing noise around his Manchester United future, calling the speculation “ridiculous” after an uneven opening to the 2026/27 season.

United’s campaign began with a defeat to Hull City, and the pressure has intensified following back-to-back setbacks against Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion. The derby loss came in the Premier League, while Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton was even more frustrating after Carrick’s side allowed a two-goal lead to slip away.

There has been no shortage of criticism, yet Carrick insists the talk about his job security is detached from reality. Speaking before Sunday’s meeting with Fulham, he made clear that he understands the standards at the club and is focused on the work rather than the noise.

“I know the club, I know the role, I know what’s expected here in terms of playing to a certain standard and achieving certain things on the pitch,” the 45-year-old said ahead of Sunday’s clash with Fulham.

“In terms of future and ownership and how long I’ve got in the job, that’s totally not in my thinking. It’s ridiculous to think that way in the position I’m in, that’s just not on the radar.

“It’s two or three games. It’s two or three games too many because I really hate losing, but that doesn’t mean the world caves in. In some minds it does, it can’t for us.”

He later added: “It’s not a catastrophe or a disaster. It’s not the end of the world,” a view supported by the team’s underlying numbers.

Despite the defeats, United’s data is not as bleak as the results suggest. They have the second-highest expected goals total in the Premier League at 8.3, the most touches in the opposition box with 139, and only three sides have created more big chances. Defensively, only three teams have conceded less expected goals than their 5.2, while their expected points tally of seven is behind only Arsenal and Manchester City.

With only six competitive matches played so far, Carrick still has time to steady the team, provided he remains in post. Since taking charge in January, he has lost only five matches and records a 61% win rate.

Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund has praised Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel as reports in Germany continue to underline the scale of interest in the teenager.

United are not compelled to agree to Gabriel’s exit request, with his youth contract running until the end of the season. Even so, the 15-year-old is attracting attention from across Europe, with clubs hopeful of persuading him with a clearer path to first-team football.

Speaking to BILD, Freund was careful not to go beyond admiration when asked about Bayern’s involvement. He said: “We know the player because he is very, very talented. An exceptional talent. But I can’t say anything more about it.”

When pressed again on whether Bayern are in talks over a move, Freund replied: “Not at the moment,” although BILD suggested that stance may not tell the full story.

The report claims Bayern have been in “close contact” with Gabriel and his father, who represents him, since February. According to the same account, the Bundesliga champions made their interest clear from that point if an opportunity to sign him emerged.

Bayern are not said to be out of the running, but the early signs point elsewhere. Gabriel and his family are understood to be weighing up options from around Europe, with first-team assurances a key factor. United were reportedly prepared to give him a senior debut during the midweek defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, only days after his exit demand.

Earlier this week, Fabrizio Romano said Real Madrid are leading the race for Gabriel, a view since echoed by several outlets in England and Spain. More recently, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic said Madrid are “very confident” of winning the chase for a player whose move would cost no more than €1 million ($1.2 million) in compensation.

Alejandro Garnacho’s attempt to reset his career at Villa Park has taken an awkward turn, with Unai Emery making clear the winger is not yet in position to claim a regular role.

After Villa’s Carabao Cup win over Coventry City, Emery offered a stark assessment. Garnacho, he said, must “work, work, train, work.” He added that the 22-year-old needs to “try and play well” when chances arrive, but also stressed that there are “players in front of him now.”

That has left Garnacho in a difficult spot. He was on the bench against Coventry even with Emery rotating heavily, and his recent involvement suggests he is slipping further down the order. Across Villa’s first three Premier League matches, he managed only 31 minutes. Last weekend, in the loss to Nottingham Forest, he was an unused substitute.

Emery explained that Garnacho is “a little bit behind” because of some “[injury] circumstances we had in preseason,” adding: “It is time to be patient for the time he needs.”

The competition around him is not helping. Emery praised George Hemmings as “fantastic,” said Alysson is improving his “understanding” and is “giving us things I want,” and noted that Ibrahim Mbaye “also responded well.” The numbers underline the picture: Hemmings has played 540 minutes in all competitions, Alysson 137, Mbaye 91, while Garnacho has only 31.

Villa’s broader situation only sharpens the problem. Even while results remain poor, Garnacho is still not starting. At 22, and with several seasons of Premier League experience, he should be setting the standard rather than chasing it.

Garnacho arrived after leaving Manchester United in 2025 for Chelsea, but his spell there did not convince. He made 43 appearances, started only 14 league games, and half of his eight goals came in the Carabao Cup. He was later omitted from the 2026 World Cup after not receiving a call-up in almost two years.

When his loan move from Chelsea was completed in July, reports said the buy obligation was conditional but “easily achievable.” That detail now feels more uncomfortable than ever.