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.
Fulham
Arbeloa Held Talks With Fulham After Tumultuous Real Madrid Spell
Arbeloa has held talks with Fulham to replace Marco Silva after a turbulent spell at Real Madrid…
Álvaro Arbeloa is reportedly in discussions with Fulham over the possibility of succeeding Marco Silva at Craven Cottage. According to The Athletic, the club have held talks with Arbeloa as they consider options following Silva’s five-year tenure. Silva has already been announced as Mourinho’s replacement at Benfica, meaning any appointment would complete a three-way managerial shuffle.
Arbeloa’s recent managerial record is short but intense. He lasted six months in charge at Real Madrid after being appointed by club president Florentino Pérez in January, following Xabi Alonso’s exit. Previously a coach in Madrid’s youth structure, he had worked with the Under-14, Under-19 and B teams and recorded a 52% win rate during his time with Real Madrid B.
His spell with the first team included a shock Copa del Rey exit to second-tier Albacete, a run of four games without a win in April and the Champions League exit to Bayern Munich. A defeat to Barcelona formally ended any realistic challenge for the league title. Off the field, his tenure was overshadowed by a locker-room altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni that left Valverde needing hospital treatment. Across 28 games in charge of the first team Arbeloa registered a 64.29% win ratio.
Those results and incidents have shaped the perception of Arbeloa’s readiness for a major senior role, even though he is regarded as a good club man and brings experience as a World Cup and Champions League winner.
At Fulham, he would face a different environment to the Bernabéu. He would not be required to manage the superstar-sized egos that characterised his brief Real Madrid spell and would be less likely to need to mediate a dressing-room civil war. Whether Arbeloa is ready to take on a sustained top-level management job remains unclear, but Fulham’s interest indicates he remains a candidate for Premier League management.
Fulham
Robinson’s First Premier League Strike Coincides with Fulham’s European Hopes Fading
Antonee “Jedi” Robinson scored his first Premier League goal; Fulham sit on 49 points with one game
Just weeks away from what looks set to be his second World Cup, Antonee “Jedi” Robinson hit a personal landmark on Sunday by scoring his first Premier League goal. The strike made him the 28th United States player to score in the competition and offered a rare bright spot in a result that left Fulham’s continental ambitions in doubt.
The goal was Robinson’s fourth for the Cottagers across 214 appearances. Before the Premier League breakthrough he had found the net three times in the EFL Championship and once in the Carabao Cup. That history underlines the significance of a first top-flight goal arriving as the club enters the final matchweek.
Fulham were held by last-place Wolves, picking up a single point that leaves them on 49 with one game remaining. They sit three points behind Brentford, who occupy the Europa Conference League qualifying position in eighth. The draw therefore represented a substantial setback to Fulham’s hopes of qualifying for European competition in 2026-27.
There remains a technical route for additional English clubs to reach European competition, depending on the outcomes of the continental finals. More English teams could qualify for Europe should one or more of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace secure favourable results in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League finals, respectively.
Robinson’s trajectory to this moment included both setbacks and recovery. He underwent knee surgery earlier in his career and subsequently endured ankle and thigh issues. Those problems created doubts about his availability at times during this season and last, but his return in December removed much of that uncertainty.
An established international, Robinson has 52 caps for the USMNT and was part of the squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. With the 2026 tournament approaching, he will learn his fate on May 26 when manager Mauricio Pochettino announces a 26-man squad in New York City.
Arsenal
Eight Premier League Grounds That Define Matchday Atmosphere
Eight Premier League stadiums examined: Elland Road, Stamford Bridge, Stadium of Light and more. Fan
The Premier League offers a wide variety of stadium experiences. Each venue in this selection delivers a distinct blend of history, design and fan culture.
Elland Road (capacity: 37,890) still feels like a fortress. Its traditional, non-bowl design keeps stands tight to the pitch and produces an intense, in-your-face atmosphere. Leeds United have played there since the club’s formation in 1919. The concourses may feel a little outdated, but that only adds to the ground’s character and makes it an intimidating place to visit.
Stamford Bridge (capacity: 41,631) is modest in scale for Chelsea, a club described in the source as two-time European champions and five-time Premier League winners. The stadium’s steep, enclosed stands trap sound and, when it is rocking, create a cauldron of noise. The stadium can feel claustrophobic, and the rhythmic clatter of fans banging metal in the stands after a goal contributes to its raw edge.
The Stadium of Light (capacity: 48,707) is a relatively modern ground, Sunderland’s home since 1997. It balances spaciousness with intimacy: wide concourses, tidy seating and excellent sightlines make for a smooth matchday. A lively fan zone and potential for future expansion underline its long-term credentials.
Craven Cottage (capacity: 29,589) is smaller but exceptionally charming. Perched on the banks of the Thames and surrounded by pubs and bars, it features the 1905 red-brick pavilion alongside modern upgrades and a new stand, blending tradition and contemporary comfort.
Villa Park (capacity: 42,918) often feels larger than its capacity suggests. The Holt End, with its depth and proximity to the pitch, and steep stands create constant intensity. Strong views and an old-school feel contribute to a consistently good matchday.
Old Trafford (capacity: 74,879) shows its age: leaking roof, worn structure and a confusing internal layout. Yet the stadium retains an intangible aura rooted in decades of history and memorable moments.
Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock (capacity: 52,769) opened as a modern waterfront venue after Everton fans said goodbye to Goodison Park at the end of the 2024–25 season. It offers a wide range of social spaces, self-service “eBars,” premium dining, and some areas with cinema-style chairs and private screens.
St. James’ Park (capacity: 52,258) is a towering stadium whose steep stands produce an intense, close-to-action feel. High home sections and a dominant presence on the skyline combine to create a dramatic matchday setting.
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