Fulham
Šeško: Manchester United’s Work-Rate ‘Definitely Different’ Since Carrick Took Charge
Šeško: United’s work-rate ‘definitely different’ under Carrick, raising questions about Amorim. plus
Benjamin Šeško’s winner against Fulham came with a candid assessment of Manchester United’s collective effort under Michael Carrick. Asked by Sky Sports whether Carrick had urged the squad to enjoy playing for the club again, the 22-year-old said: “It’s true, he has said these things many times to the team. That’s exactly what we are doing.” He added that the change went beyond mood.
“But it’s not just that. You can see how much we work hard for each other without the ball and that also contributes to good results in the end. The work rate is definitely different. Everyone is on point and covering their spaces. In the end, that’s what counts.”
Šeško’s remarks pointed a critical light at his predecessor. The draft notes that Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties at the start of January after reportedly falling out with the club’s upper hierarchy rather than the dressing room. The impression that players had begun to lose confidence in Amorim’s methods is underlined by the observation that Leeds United collectively ran more than 5km further than their Manchester counterparts in what proved to be Amorim’s final game.
Šeško did not dwell on the past. “The aim is to continue like this,” he insisted. “We want to focus on our work and what we have to do. We have [to] work hard like we are and focus in every moment. All of this is going to lead to great results.”
United took all three points and returned to the division’s top four, but Fulham’s manager made a forceful post-match point. “Top performance from ourselves. Second half, our team was better. The way we played and controlled the ball, they wanted to press us high but we never let them,” Marco Silva said.
Carrick reflected on Fulham’s quality in his own post-match comments: “I was well aware of what a good team Fulham are going into the game. I was getting questions thrown at me about teams sitting back here, but I knew it was never going to be like that today,” Carrick crowed post-match.
United have now won seven successive games while recording possession of 45% or below. When they have had more than 45% of the ball this season, they have four wins from 17 Premier League games, per Opta. The run raises the question of how United will fare against teams that invite them on and force sustained control, a tactical issue flagged ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s trip to Old Trafford next Saturday.
Arsenal
Premier League’s longest-serving managers and the rapid reset shaping 2026/27
A summer reset has left the Premier League with a long list of new managers and just one clear outlier.
The Premier League remains a ruthless place for managers, and the 2026/27 season begins with that reality clearer than ever. A summer of upheaval has left dugouts across the division occupied by a fresh wave of appointments, while one club is still waiting to name a new head coach.
At the top of the list, Mikel Arteta stands alone as the league’s longest-serving manager. Appointed by Arsenal on Dec. 22, 2019, he has outlasted every other current rival and remains comfortably ahead of the pack. Behind him comes Unai Emery, who has been in charge of Aston Villa since Nov. 1, 2022, followed by Daniel Farke, who took over Leeds United on July 4, 2023.
Further down the rankings, the turnover becomes even more obvious. Régis Le Bris and Fabian Hürzeler both arrived in July 2024, while Frank Lampard, David Moyes, Sergej Jakirović, Keith Andrews and Michael Carrick all joined their clubs during 2024 and 2025. The list then tightens further still, with a cluster of appointments made only months before the new campaign.
There are notable cases throughout. Roberto De Zerbi, hired by Tottenham Hotspur on March 31, 2026, sits just outside the top 10. Michael Carrick is inside it after first being named interim Manchester United boss in January and then permanently hired in May. At the other extreme, Álvaro Arbeloa is the latest arrival, taking charge of Fulham on July 7 after an unsuccessful spell as Real Madrid boss.
A number of other clubs have also changed course recently, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. Over half the division has turned to new managers in 2026 if Newcastle United are included, with the club still yet to appoint Eddie Howe’s successor.
For now, Arteta remains the benchmark for staying power in a league that rarely gives managers much time.
Analytics & Stats
Real Madrid weigh up their decision after Fulham move for Gonzalo García and César Palacios
Real Madrid’s Fulham deal for Gonzalo García and César Palacios may solve one problem but create another.
Real Madrid have reportedly sanctioned the sale of back-up striker Gonzalo García and Castilla talent César Palacios to Fulham in a combined deal worth $57.4 million (€50 million).
According to The Athletic, Gonzalo is valued at $46.1 million (€40 million), while Palacios accounts for $11.5 million (€10 million). Both agreements also contain a 30% sell-on clause.
The pair are said to be “keen” on linking up with their former manager in the Premier League, and they would arrive as Fulham’s first two additions of the summer. Swedish forward Jonah Kusi-Asare has also made a permanent move after his loan spell from Bayern Munich last season.
Interest in Gonzalo had been building across Europe since his breakthrough at the Club World Cup last summer, but Real Madrid were reluctant to let go of the No. 9, a player who drew comparisons with club legend Raúl.
Even so, his role became increasingly limited. Alonso and Arbeloa both restricted his minutes last season, and he started only nine La Liga matches. When Kylian Mbappé was injured later in 2025-26, Gonzalo was not even the first choice to step in, with Brahim Díaz instead used up top alongside Vinícius Júnior.
Despite the reduced opportunities, the Castilla product still finished with eight goals, including six in La Liga. His movement, finishing and work rate stood out whenever he featured, though those chances were rare, especially without Endrick involved.
Endrick is now back at the Bernabéu and wearing the No. 9 after a productive loan at Lyon. He registered eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances for the French side and is expected to provide cover for Mbappé next season under José Mourinho.
From Real Madrid’s perspective, moving on from Gonzalo while Fulham were prepared to pay $46.1 million is understandable, particularly with reports of Yan Diomande potentially arriving for a club-record $153.8 million (€135 million).
Still, the long view may look different. Real Madrid’s attack often lacked a natural centre-forward last season, and in 2026 they scored more than twice in only eight of 31 matches. The side missed a striker capable of attacking crosses and making decisive box runs, leaving the frontline heavily tilted toward Vinícius Jr on the left and Mbappé in central spaces.
Bournemouth
USMNT names set for England across the 2026-27 season
A look at the USMNT players set to feature across England’s Premier League and Championship in 2026-27.
English football has long provided a platform for leading USMNT figures, and that remains true as the 2026-27 campaign begins. A number of players who have earned call-ups in the past year will spend the season in England’s Premier League and Championship, continuing a connection that has defined several generations of American internationals.
Tyler Adams is again part of that picture. Almost eight years after leaving New York for Europe, the defensive midfielder built momentum at RB Leipzig before moving on to Leeds United. A strong first year there ended in relegation, but Bournemouth stepped in and brought him back to the top flight. After an injury disrupted his first season on the south coast, he followed with two solid years.
Haji Wright arrives at the new season with momentum of his own. After spells in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Türkiye, he settled at Coventry City and delivered 17 Championship goals last season to help them reach the Premier League. At 28, and with no previous top-flight experience in England, he faces a significant test under Frank Lampard.
Chris Richards has taken a different route to prominence. After failing to establish himself early at Bayern Munich, he has become a key figure at Crystal Palace since joining in 2022. His consistency helped drive Palace through their most successful spell, with Richards playing a major part in the FA Cup and Conference League successes under Oliver Glasner.
Antonee Robinson has spent his career in England and has continued to progress at Fulham after coming through at Everton and spending time on loan at Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic. His 10 assists from defence in 2024-25 underlined his influence.
Brenden Aaronson remains at Leeds after helping the club return to the Premier League in 2025, while Patrick Agyemang must recover from a long-term Achilles injury that could keep him out until 2027. Sebastian Berhalter has joined Middlesbrough from Vancouver Whitecaps, and Aidan Morris is already established there after a busy 2025-26 campaign.
