Man Utd
Players Say Carrick’s ‘Magic’ and Tactical Reset Have Turned United’s Season Around
Players credit Michael Carrick’s blend of nostalgia and tactics for Manchester United’s revival. Jan
Matheus Cunha compared Michael Carrick’s arrival to a dose of old‑school inspiration and credited the caretaker manager with sparking Manchester United’s recent recovery. Cunha opened the scoring in the derby and said: “When Michael [Carrick] came, he came with magic! Alex Ferguson vibes. He talks so much about his team, the conquering team. This feeling comes to us. We feel so happy with the information, we focus so hard to reach the objective.
“At the end of the day, this is just the start of the journey, it’s the beginning—a beautiful beginning!”
United were seventh when Carrick took the helm, narrowly beating out Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the race of former players to replace Ruben Amorim. Since that change the club have posted the best record in the league, a run that has included victories over Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool. That same group of players had earlier been dumped out of the Carabao Cup second round by fourth‑tier Grimsby Town.
There has been a tangible shift beyond nostalgia. Carrick has moved the team from Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 to a more direct 4-2-3-1 and has repositioned players to suit their strengths. Bruno Fernandes explained how Carrick identified the right half-space as a key area for the playmaker to exploit; it was from that zone that Fernandes started the move which led to Benjamin Šeško’s goal against Liverpool.
Few have benefited more than Kobbie Mainoo. The academy graduate, who had one foot out of the door by the end of Amorim’s tenure, signed a new lucrative deal and is now a nailed-on starter. Mainoo said of Carrick: “He’s played a huge part in it, all the confidence he gives all the players. You want to follow him and fight for him and die for him on the pitch.”
After 17 games Carrick’s record stands alongside Sir Alex Ferguson’s early benchmark: Carrick (start date Jan. 17, 2026) 12 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses, 33 goals for and 19 against; Ferguson (start date Nov. 8, 1986) 7 wins, 6 draws, 4 losses, 22 goals for and 15 against.
United’s hierarchy have made no decision on a permanent appointment. Andoni Iraola is being seriously considered and the interest in Luis Enrique has not been entirely closed off. Carrick declined to discuss his future: “Whatever is going to happen is going to happen,” he shrugged.
AC Milan
Amorim to Milan: What the Move Means for Manchester United’s Preseason
Amorim’s move to AC Milan reduces United’s compensation and focuses attention on Aug. 15 friendly. .
Reports that Ruben Amorim is negotiating to become AC Milan manager change more than compensation figures for Manchester United. Amorim’s time out of work is not expected to drag on, with Saturday coverage identifying him as the preferred candidate to take over at AC Milan this summer. As noted by The Telegraph, an anticipated agreement with Milan will spare United from paying the full share of their compensation to the Portuguese tactician.
United finalised their preseason schedule earlier this month, electing to stay in Europe for the first time in 24 years to help players respond to a summer full of World Cup action across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Opponents listed for the Red Devils’ preparations include Wrexham (July 18, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland), Rosenborg (July 24, Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim, Norway), Atlético Madrid (Aug. 1, Strawberry Arena, Stockholm, Sweden), Paris Saint-Germain (Aug. 8, Ullevi Stadium, Gothenberg, Sweden) and Leeds United (Aug. 12, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland).
United will round out their preparations with a friendly against AC Milan. United and Milan will lock horns at Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław, Poland, on Aug. 15, and all the signs suggest it will be Amorim leading the Italian outfit. While few conclusions can be drawn from preseason fixtures, supporters will demand a positive result against their former boss and many will watch how Milan adapt under Amorim and to the 3-4-2-1 formation to which he appeared so wedded during his tenure at Old Trafford.
The match will also offer a first public assessment of the rivalry between the two men responsible for United’s recent transition. It will be a chance for newly appointed permanent United manager Michael Carrick to take on his predecessor, having overseen drastic improvement compared to Amorim’s time in charge. The fixture therefore carries financial, tactical and narrative significance for both clubs as they head into the new season.
Man City
Tuchel hails Elliot Anderson as City and United prepare record bids
Tuchel calls Elliot Anderson ‘the full package’ as City and United circle; Forest demand record fee.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has given a clear endorsement of Elliot Anderson as Manchester City and Manchester United prepare transfer bids for the midfielder. Tuchel used the eve of the World Cup to underline Anderson’s rise and described the 23-year-old in the sternest terms.
Anderson made his England debut in September 2025 and completed a season in which he played every single game for a struggling Forest side. He finished the campaign with the most touches (3,300), duels won (297), fouls won (80) and possessions won (306) in the division, figures that have pushed him into the spotlight.
The midfielder has formed a strong dynamic alongside Declan Rice for the national team and is set to play a major role for his country in North America. England starts its World Cup campaign against familiar foes Croatia next Wednesday.
City and United both want to sign Anderson this summer. It would take a British record fee for Forest to part with him; the player could cost as much as £120 million ($161 million). City have reportedly submitted a bid worth the aforementioned £120 million ($161 million), which includes £15 million ($20 million) in performance-related add-ons. Forest are demanding more money up front, with owner Evangelos Marinakis digging his heels in.
Tuchel declined to dwell on Anderson’s future but made clear his admiration. “He’s a top player,” Tuchel said after England ’s warm-up victory over Costa Rica. “There’s nothing more to say, he’s the full package.
The German also warned of the personal pressures that can follow a big move. “Even if a transfer is completed, hopefully, he stays the same person. Nothing will change overnight with him if he wakes up, he’s not a new player.” He added: “People will try to hang around his neck this price but, in reality, nothing changes, he just changes the club and that’s the rules of the game,” Tuchel added. “Hopefully he just stays the same—a humble, determined, hungry football player.”
Meanwhile, City have also been linked with Sandro Tonali as they consider options amid the likely departure of Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid.
Man Utd
Robinson or Hall: United’s practical choice for left-back depth
Man Utd are weighing Antonee Robinson against Lewis Hall as options to bolster left back depth. 2026
Manchester United have added Antonee Robinson to a short list as they seek cover at left back ahead of the next season. Luke Shaw enjoyed what was likely his best campaign since joining in 2014, playing all 38 Premier League matches, but he will shortly turn 31 and is entering the latter stages of his career.
Robinson is an emerging option. Almost 29, the Fulham defender offers distinct qualities: pace, a high work rate and notable attacking output for a full back. This past season is a poor example because of injury trouble, but he made 10 Premier League assists for Fulham in 2024–25. He is a more immediate, perhaps short-term profile than a younger long-term successor would be.
Newcastle’s Lewis Hall has been linked for some time. Sky Sports notes that interest in the 21-year-old continues with ongoing “monitoring,” but Robinson has appeared as the newer candidate. The two represent contrasting targets: Hall is younger and viewed as a potential long-term replacement, while Robinson might arrive to provide reliable depth behind Shaw for the next few seasons.
A comparison of key metrics underlines the difference. Robinson is listed at age 28 with 158 Premier League appearances, 18 combined goals and assists and 54 national team caps. Hall is 21 with 84 Premier League appearances, eight combined goals and assists, four national team caps and a later contract expiry. Transfer values cited in the comparison put Robinson at $25.3 million and Hall at $46.1 million.
Robinson is a United-type signing in profile: a fit, attack-minded full back who can slot in as cover and add quality on the flank. He is also a regular for his national team. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, ‘Jedi’ has played 54 times for the Stars and Stripes since debuting in 2018.
Should United move, the decision between immediate, experienced backup and a longer-term, more expensive prospect will shape the club’s left-back planning.
