Man Utd
Howe and the United backlash: why the next appointment may be complicated
Howe is under consideration at United, but fan hostility and boardroom doubt may shape the next move.
Manchester United’s search for a possible successor to Michael Carrick is already being shaped by tension well beyond the dugout. Eddie Howe is viewed as one of the leading options, but the reaction to his name has reportedly created enough unease to make him hesitate before considering the role.
The atmosphere at the club has deteriorated quickly at the start of the new season. Carrick was handed the job full-time, yet the summer recruitment was not sufficient to leave him with a squad ready for the extra strain of this campaign. On top of that, he has struggled to strike the right tactical balance, something that had not been an issue during the closing weeks of last season.
There is also a sense of deepening unrest inside the dressing room, with players openly criticising Carrick and the club’s leadership. Despite that, Carrick remains firm, even as the pressure around him grows and the possibility of a change edges closer.
Howe is said to be the preferred option of sporting director Jason Wilcox, although the hierarchy is not united. The Telegraph reports that Howe would take the job if it were offered, but has not been left with the impression that United are actively chasing him. Other names, including Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte, have backing elsewhere, while some want the club to pursue Unai Emery or Cesc Fàbregas.
The report also says Howe is aware of the negative feeling among supporters, with prominent online figure and United fan Mark Goldbridge among those leading the criticism of a potential appointment. That hostility, combined with the lack of clarity inside the club, could be enough to put him off.
Even so, United remain a huge institution capable of attracting major managers. Howe has previously shown confidence in his own methods, and if Wilcox gets his way after Carrick is dismissed, the 48-year-old would likely want assurances. He was influential in recruitment at both of his previous jobs, and his record suggests United would be wise to listen. He helped turn Newcastle into a side few in the Premier League wanted to meet, guided them to the Champions League twice, and ended their 56-year wait for a major trophy with the Carabao Cup in 2025.
Chelsea
Carrick Under Pressure as United’s Winless Run Reaches Nine
United’s winless run has deepened, and Carrick’s future is now under growing scrutiny.
Michael Carrick’s position at Manchester United is becoming harder to defend after Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea stretched the club’s winless sequence to nine matches in all competitions.
That run matches a low point last seen under Sir Alex Ferguson, but the comparison only goes so far. Ferguson’s side were two years into his spell when they went nine games without a victory, and even then they managed to draw seven of those matches before eventually ending the sequence with a 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic.
Carrick’s case is more damaging because the numbers are sharper and the performances have been poorer over a longer stretch. United have now lost six of their last nine matches in all competitions and drawn the other three. The 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth had already sparked the view that his time could be up, leading to crisis talks before the decision was made to give him another chance.
Against Chelsea, though, there were at least signs of a response early on. United were the better side for the first 45 minutes, with Carrick apparently getting a positive reaction from his players at the start of the match. That opening spell is unlikely, however, to settle the wider debate around his future.
There is clear acceptance at the club that both results and performances are not meeting the required level, and officials are already weighing up possible alternatives, including Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann.
Even so, Carrick may feel he was not entirely betrayed by his own approach. Some of the damage at Chelsea came from individual mistakes, and Lisandro Martínez’s decision to lead with his arm as he jumped with Wesley Fofana cannot be laid at the manager’s door. After the Bournemouth defeat, there were also suggestions that some at Old Trafford recognised the players’ share of responsibility in the slump.
Chelsea
Chelsea Edge Manchester United as Martínez Sees Red in Stamford Bridge Defeat
Chelsea punished United’s collapse at Stamford Bridge, with Martínez’s red card and Palmer’s penalty proving decisive.
Chelsea took full advantage of Lisandro Martínez’s dismissal to beat Manchester United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, a result that added further scrutiny to the under-pressure Michael Carrick.
The opening half was far more competitive than the scoreline eventually suggested. United, coming off consecutive three-goal defeats, showed clearer resistance and created chances of their own. Amad Diallo twice forced Chelsea’s goalkeeper into action, while Matheus Cunha thought he had found the net only for VAR to rule his near-post effort out for offside. Chelsea also had a moment chalked off when Estêvão tapped into an empty net, only for the linesman’s flag to intervene.
The deadlock remained intact until five minutes after the interval, when United’s defending unravelled. Morgan Rogers found space in the penalty area and produced a delicate dink to put Chelsea ahead after the visitors failed to deal with the danger.
United’s task became even harder soon after. Martínez, booked only moments earlier, was dismissed for a second yellow after barging into Wesley Fofana at a corner. Cole Palmer then converted the resulting penalty to make the advantage decisive.
Chelsea pressed for more, and Estêvão had another effort ruled out for offside, but the two-goal margin was enough to secure the points and extend United’s frustration.
United had actually begun the contest with purpose and control, but the same old issues returned quickly after the break. Their defence opened up far too easily for Rogers’ opener, while the midfield offered too little protection. Carrick’s side also wasted the best of their first-half openings, and those misses proved costly.
Martínez’s red card summed up the mood around United: reckless, needless and avoidable. It was the latest damaging moment in a season already defined by collapse, and it left Chelsea to stroll away with a result that reflected the gulf in composure when the match was decided.
Arsenal
Gameweek 9 verdicts: Chelsea edge United, Arsenal stun Liverpool
A full set of Gameweek 9 predictions, including Chelsea vs Man Utd and Liverpool vs Arsenal.
Gameweek 9 brings a stacked Premier League schedule, with several meetings that carry clear weight in the early-season picture. The most eye-catching fixtures are Chelsea against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool’s home clash with Arsenal, while there are also plenty of tight contests elsewhere across the division.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are tipped to come through 2-1 against a Manchester United side under pressure after back-to-back three-goal defeats to Como and Bournemouth. Michael Carrick remains in charge for the trip to west London after talks with Bruno Fernandes and the rest of the squad, but this feels like a critical test. Chelsea have their own issues, yet home advantage and the absence of João Pedro could still matter in a narrow contest.
Bournemouth’s strong run is expected to continue with a 2-1 win over Leeds United. The Cherries have produced a striking sequence of results across multiple competitions, and with Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson supported by Eli Junior Kroupi’s return, they look well placed to extend that momentum.
Other calls point to draws for Brentford against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United against Everton, while Coventry and Sunderland are forecast to cancel each other out. Hull are backed to edge Ipswich 1-0, and Manchester City are favoured to beat Brighton 3-2 in what could be the weekend’s most open game.
Tottenham are projected to keep improving with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, while Aston Villa are expected to defeat Fulham 3-0 after their recent uptick in form. The standout result, though, is at Anfield, where Arsenal are predicted to win 2-1 after Liverpool’s recent consistency meets a team looking to respond after a cup setback. The final matchup, Newcastle versus Everton, is also forecast to finish level.
United Plan to Delay Carrick Decision as Run Reaches Nine Games Without a Win
Carrick Sticks to Brief Response on Manchester United Future After Chelsea Defeat
