There is said to be no immediate danger to Michael Carrick’s role at Manchester United, even if the side return from the extended September-October international break with a disappointing result.

Carrick’s first 17 matches in charge last season brought in more points than Arsenal collected across the same stretch, and he will believe United remain close to the level he expects. Two individual lapses have already cost the club five points, while another match was shaped by an objectively shocking refereeing mistake. Even so, United have generally moved the ball into the right areas and are matching Arsenal in the attacking third.

The Daily Mail reports that there is “no appetite for change” from the club’s hierarchy. The same reporting also draws a contrast with Ruben Amorim, who was overseeing gradual improvement after an extremely poor 2024-25 season before undermining himself by voicing his frustrations publicly last January.

That means the focus is on results rather than panic. Even if the Spurs fixture does not end in victory, the expectation is that the club would not “hit the panic button” over Carrick. Players were also said at the end of September to still back and support him.

Tottenham should provide a favourable matchup for United at this stage. They are bottom after failing to win any of their opening five Premier League matches and taking only two points. United are currently the division’s joint-sixth highest scorers, while Spurs have the second weakest attack, with only two goals and blanks in four matches.

The challenge for United is what follows. Between the end of the international window and the next one in mid-November, they play eight times across two competitions in four weeks. Leeds United away on Oct. 18 looks difficult, especially with Champions League trips to Atlético Madrid and Como either side of it. Bournemouth at home comes next, before Chelsea away, then home games against Roma and an improving Aston Villa.

Manchester United went into the first international break of 2026-27 after salvaging a late point at Fulham, leaving them on five points from their opening five league matches. Michael Carrick admitted the margins have not gone their way, but insisted the signs are encouraging.

“It has been pretty fine ­margins [so far this season] that have flipped it [the wrong way],” Carrick told reporters at Craven Cottage. “I know we can do better … we need to do better at certain things. But I’m not despondent and down because we’re showing some good signs.”

Attention now turns to the visit of Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford on Saturday, although Carrick’s selection plans have been complicated by a growing injury list. Several players either returned early from international duty or are still being managed carefully, leaving United with uncertainty in multiple areas of the pitch.

Matthijs de Ligt remains out with a back problem, while Manuel Ugarte is also unavailable because of a knee issue. Amad Diallo, absent since pre-season, is still a doubt with an ankle problem, though he remains the most likely of that group to have a chance of involvement.

Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford both withdrew from England duty after picking up injuries against Fulham and are expected back in contention, but only as doubts until further updates arrive later this week. Benjamin Šeško is in a similar position after pulling out of Slovenia’s squad, with the striker saying he is “getting there” as he recovers from a shin problem.

Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui are also uncertain after injury setbacks for Denmark and Morocco respectively. In goal, if Karl Darlow and Tom Heaton do not recover in time, Dermot Mee could again be asked to sit on the bench as backup to Senne Lammens.

The situation could also open the door for Carlos Baleba, who arrived injured from Brighton & Hove Albion and has spent his early weeks in Manchester building fitness. If Mainoo is unavailable, he could make his debut. Further forward, Rashford’s absence could lead to Matheus Cunha moving left, Bryan Mbeumo through the middle, and a possible first Premier League start for Shea Lacey on the right.

Mikel Arteta has had the international break to reflect on Arsenal’s heavy defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion, but the pause has not simplified his plans for the Premier League return. Leeds United visit Emirates Stadium on Saturday, and the champions are expected to make several changes because of fitness concerns across the squad.

The most significant absentee remains William Saliba, who is out for the long term with a back problem. Arsenal also lost Ben White to a groin issue during the win at Sunderland, though the right back is now expected to return after being seen in training images last week. Declan Rice, meanwhile, has been managed carefully after a demanding summer and recurring hamstring discomfort, and he should also be available for Leeds.

There is better news in defence through Cristhian Mosquera, who has recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered in August and could come back into the side. If Ezri Konsa is not ready after his dead leg, Mosquera may be the natural option to line up alongside Gabriel. Jurriën Timber is another factor at right back, although his minutes are being monitored after summer groin surgery.

Arsenal’s attack has taken the sharper hit. Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis both picked up hamstring injuries while away with Germany and Greece, and both are expected to miss the next couple of weeks. That leaves Arteta with limited routes through the middle and on the left, where Eberechi Eze has not yet made a major impact. Noni Madueke could also be used there, while Viktor Gyökeres is the likeliest candidate to replace Havertz up front after scoring four in four for Sweden during the break.

Max Dowman is available despite a contact injury and a red card for England’s U-19s, while Bukayo Saka came through the break unscathed. With Rice and White expected back, Arteta can at least restore some structure, but the forward line remains the main concern heading into a difficult fixture.