Michael Carrick has backed the England recalls for Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire as fitting recognition of their recent form, while confirming Manchester United are progressing on contract discussions for both players.

Carrick noted that Mainoo has been an ever-present in United’s midfield since he assumed control from the sacked Ruben Amorim. Maguire, meanwhile, has reinforced his status as a key leader in United’s backline, a responsibility that has grown with Matthijs de Ligt absent since November with a back injury. England manager Thomas Tuchel named a 35-player party for the upcoming international break, one of the final tune-ups ahead of this summer’s World Cup, and Carrick said the selections were deserved.

“Contract negotiations with players are always ongoing, so you hope whatever it is gets done in the right way,” Carrick said. “Both have been great, and being back in the England squad is what they deserve. I’m not getting involved on how close things are, but they’ve both done great.”

The club is reported to be close to new terms for both men. Mainoo is expected to receive at least a new five-year contract, a turnaround after he was cast aside by Amorim. Maguire could be offered a one-year deal with the option to extend for another 12 months, a practice United often use with older players.

United’s form under Carrick has improved notably since he replaced Amorim in mid-January. The side have lost only one Premier League game in that period, and the draw with Bournemouth was just the third time in 10 outings the Red Devils have failed to win. Carrick placed those results in the context of a demanding competition.

“This league’s tough to win games,” Carrick said. “We’ve won a lot of games recently, so I think the amount of points we’ve accumulated in some of the performances and the results that we’ve had I think is a big positive.”

Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea go into the international break having failed to press their advantage. Those stumbles have kept the race for a top-five finish alive with all three clubs refusing to capitalise on one another.

With seven matches remaining in the season, their next five Premier League games take on renewed significance. Below is how the schedules line up.

Man Utd
Leeds (H) – April 13
Chelsea (A) – April 18
Brentford (H) – April 27
Liverpool (H) – May 2
Sunderland (A) – May 9

For Manchester United the upcoming run is relatively promising. With just seven matches to play, United sit in third place and are well clear of Chelsea and Liverpool behind them. Aston Villa, also in the top five, remains a team United must respect. The international break offers a short period of rest before they host Leeds United on April 13. Their meetings with Chelsea and Liverpool are split between Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, and victories there could prove decisive to their European ambitions. The Londoners beat United earlier this season, a reminder that form can change quickly since Michael Carrick’s transformative appointment as interim head coach.

Liverpool
Fulham (H) – April 11
Everton (A) – April 19
Crystal Palace (H) – April 25
Man Utd (A) – May 2
Chelsea (H) – May 9

Liverpool have been inconsistent this season. The defeat to Brighton was their 10th in the competition, six more than last campaign, and confidence may not be high ahead of Fulham on April 11. The home game follows critical cup assignments against Man City in the FA Cup and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Chelsea
Man City (H) – April 12
Man Utd (H) – April 18
Brighton (A) – April 26
Nott’m Forest (H) – May 2
Liverpool (A) – May 9

Chelsea face a testing sequence, beginning with Manchester City at home and including away trips to Brighton and Anfield. Major pressure rests on Liam Rosenior’s side after their Champions League exit, and results across these fixtures will shape their chances of finishing in the top five.

A weekend of shocks and dropped points has shifted the Opta supercomputer’s view of the 2025/26 Premier League season. With the top two away for the Carabao Cup final, teams below have been jockeying for position in the race for Champions League places.

Manchester United were held to a 2–2 draw with Bournemouth in controversial circumstances. Liverpool fell 2–1 to Brighton & Hove Albion. Chelsea suffered a 3–0 defeat to Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Opta’s projection still favours Arsenal for the title. The model lists Arsenal on 70 current points with an expected points total of 84.80 and a title chance of 97.77%. Manchester City sit on 61 points with an expected 74.47 and a 2.23% title chance. The statisticians are not looking past Arsenal.

On Champions League qualification the supercomputer gives Manchester United (55 current points, expected 66.09) an 86.25% chance, while Aston Villa (51, expected 64.13) has a 66.68% chance. Liverpool are projected on 49 current points with an expected 60.53 and a 27.33% chance. Chelsea stand on 48 current points, expected 58.63, with a 13.39% chance. Brentford (45, expected 56.09) are at 3.64%; Everton (46, expected 54.96) 1.37%; Newcastle (42, expected 54.12) 0.73%; Brighton (43, expected 53.48) 0.53%.

Michael Carrick’s side are still in an imposing position with seven games left to play despite the Bournemouth draw. Unai Emery’s side remain heavy favourites for the final top-four spot, having done most of the early campaign work.

Arne Slot’s side retain a route back into the Champions League thanks in part to England’s strong coefficient. Liam Rosenior’s side face a difficult run and are projected for the Europa League.

At the bottom, Opta’s relegation table places Tottenham on 30 points with a 12.67% relegation chance (expected 40.63). Nottingham Forest are on 29 with a 32.11% chance (expected 38.58). West Ham are on 29 with a 48.44% chance (expected 37.73). Burnley (20, expected 26.34) have a 99.90% chance and Wolves (17, expected 24.94) a 99.94% chance. Sunday’s Tottenham v Nottingham Forest meeting is highlighted as pivotal for both clubs.