Tim Howard believes Cavan Sullivan will continue to develop at Man City regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the club’s legal situation.

City are facing the prospect of major punishment after being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations over nearly a decade, from 2009 to 2018. The case centres on “sham” contracts and “misstated accounts” that are said to have reduced costs by £900 million ($1.2 billion).

Even so, Howard is adamant the situation will not derail Sullivan’s rise. The USMNT goalkeeper and Premier League broadcast analyst has watched the teenager move quickly through the game, and he sees no reason that momentum should slow down now.

Sullivan signed his first professional contract with the Union at 14 in May 2024. That deal included an agreement to move to Man City. Two months later, he made history by becoming the youngest player in MLS history. This season, he has continued to produce at a high level, recording seven goals and 14 assists in 20 regular season starts.

Howard made his case on his podcast with Landon Donovan, Unfiltered Soccer. “They’ve bought a lot of players, given the financial situation, but they also know how to produce players,” Howard said. “They know how to get the best out of players. Their players don’t fail a lot.”

He highlighted Oscar Bobb, who spent three years developing in the blue side of Manchester before joining Fulham in January on a five-and-a-half year deal worth £27 million ($36 million). Bobb has since become a regular starter.

Howard also referenced Cole Palmer, who rose through Man City’s youth ranks before moving to Chelsea in 2023 on a seven-year deal reportedly worth £42.5 million ($56.8 million). Palmer has since become the face of the Blues.

“Their players don’t fail, so he is not going to fail there because there is uncertainty,” Howard reiterated.

City could still face a points deduction severe enough to push them into the relegation zone and down to the Championship. An expulsion from the Premier League could also lead to the EFL accepting them into the Championship. Howard’s view is that, whatever happens next, Sullivan should still benefit from the move.

There was little sunshine to be found on Matchday 8, as Storm Boelo lashed English grounds with rain and wind. For all the bad weather, only one fixture finished goalless, and the round still produced a sharp series of swings in tone, quality and consequence.

Manchester United’s latest setback stood out for all the wrong reasons. Without Bruno Fernandes, they looked short of attacking life again, while Bournemouth made the most of what they created in a 3-0 win. Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur earned a notable victory at Stamford Bridge after Mike Penders handed them the opening goal, with Cole Palmer adding to Chelsea’s problems by picking up two unnecessary yellow cards.

Several matches were defined more by frustration than fluency. Fulham struggled to trouble Coventry, managing just two shots on target, while Crystal Palace surrendered control against Newcastle after leading the shot count at the break. Everton were pushed back by Arsenal and rarely threatened after falling behind early. Ipswich and Nottingham Forest finished level after a match in which neither side found much rhythm, even if the visitors were able to make more of the contest than their hosts.

Brentford’s draw away to newly promoted opposition drew a blunt response from Keith Andrews and Michael Kayode, who both said, “We have to be better.” Sunderland also shared the points in a contest shaped by the conditions, with Régis Le Bris pleased enough to say, “We were Sunderland today.” At the Stadium of Light, the wind played a major role in a game where both teams completed only 73% of their passes.

There were also decisive moments at Anfield and Villa Park. Liverpool saw Brighton’s recent momentum halted as early goals changed the shape of the match, while Villa took control through Nicolas Jackson’s sharp finishing and a commanding display from Zion Suzuki, who produced six saves and 12 line-breaking passes. In another tight contest, Hull and their opponents could not be separated, and Sergej Jakirović called it “a fair result.”

The weekend’s final judgement was not about one storyline alone, but about a league round where weather, missed chances and single moments repeatedly decided the outcome.

Manchester United are understood to be preparing to part company with Michael Carrick after Sunday’s defeat to Bournemouth, with Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann emerging as the leading candidates to replace him.

Sky Sports News reported that there is an expectation inside the club that Carrick will be relieved of his duties after a damaging 3-0 loss, a result that followed Bournemouth’s similarly emphatic win over AC Milan. The away support enjoyed the day, while United’s fans turned their attention to backing Carrick, who now appears likely to become the latest manager to pay for a deeper decline.

The reaction around Old Trafford was directed at more than one target, with players, sporting directors and owners all hearing the frustration from the stands. Yet the manager, visibly affected by the result, is the figure most likely to leave. Discussions about a successor had already begun, but those talks have now reportedly been accelerated.

Howe and Nagelsmann stand out as the two most prominent options. Howe brings Premier League experience from Bournemouth and Newcastle United, while Nagelsmann has only managed in Germany. Their profiles are very different: Howe has built teams on intensity and a high press, whereas Nagelsmann became known for shaping RB Leipzig around possession after reducing their chaotic off-ball work.

Carrick’s own post-match demeanour reflected the scale of the setback. After the midweek loss to Como, he had gone straight to the travelling supporters and apologised. Following Sunday’s collapse, he again appeared emotional but rejected the suggestion that he was saying farewell. “No, not from me,” he said. “There wasn’t a tear, just appreciation for the fans and what they’ve showed me.”

He added: “I’ve got the energy for sure-it means so much to me,” before stressing that he still enjoys the responsibility of working with the squad. He also admitted the scale of United’s problems, with results described as their worst in 40 years, saying he would “take responsibility”.

When asked directly whether he expected to be sacked, Carrick replied: “I’m not expecting anything. It’s just digesting today-we knew it was an important day to try and get us moving forward, and we haven’t done that. For me it’s just digesting that, and the emotions at the end of the game is something I’ve not really had before.”