Chelsea are exploring a deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as the club’s new head coach. The Spaniard is open to the possibility, but at this stage nothing is decided as the process to hire a permanent successor to Liam Rosenior continues, with outgoing Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola also a strong contender. The Spaniard who was sacked by Real Madrid in October already led Bayer Leverkusen to an undefeated season wining the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal.
Romanian manager Mircea Lucescu has passed away at 80 years old tonight. Thr former Shaktar Donetsk manager was admitted to the hospital 2 weeks ago over heart complications but has now passed away. He started coaching in 1979 and was the coach of the Romanian national team as at the time of his death. He won the UEFA Cup with Shaktar Donetsk in 2009.
New Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has addressed fan criticism over his historic backing of Mason Greenwood. Before De Zerbi’s appointment, three supporters’ groups – all officially recognised by the club – urged the north London outfit against pursuing the Italian, citing his backing of the former Manchester United forward, with whom he worked at Marseille. De Zerbi, 46, addressed the backlash in a video released on the club’s social media feeds on Thursday, saying he is “sorry if I offended anyone’s feelings with this subject matter”
OFFICIAL: Antoine Griezmann joins Orlando City from July 2026. According to Griiezmann; “I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my career with Orlando City. From my first conversations with the Club, I could feel a strong ambition and a clear vision for the future, and that really spoke to me”. He leaves Atletico Madrid fro free in the Summer after playing at the Spanish side for 11 years, winning multiple trophies and becoming the club's all time goal scorer with 211 goals.
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni is among the 55 players included in Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni’s preliminary World Cup squad. In April, Prestianni was handed a six-match ban by UEFA for homophobic conduct. This occurred during Benfica’s Champions League game against Real Madrid, in which Vinicius Jr. alleged that Prestianni had racially abused him. Prestianni denied that accusation at the time. Last week, FIFA extended Prestianni’s ban globally, meaning he will miss Argentina’s first two World Cup matches against Algeria and Austria should he be included in the squad.
Chelsea are exploring a deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as the club’s new head coach. The Spaniard is open to the possibility, but at this stage nothing is decided as the process to hire a permanent successor to Liam Rosenior continues, with outgoing Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola also a strong contender. The Spaniard who was sacked by Real Madrid in October already led Bayer Leverkusen to an undefeated season wining the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal.
BREAKING: Canada international Alphonso Davies will miss “several weeks” of action due to a hamstring injury, his club Bayern Munich have confirmed. Canada Soccer said it is in “close contact” with Davies and will remain in touch with Bayern’s medical team. Davies has made just 23 appearances this season, starting eight times in all competitions, after a number of injury issues in recent years.
BREAKING: Bournemouth are investigating a series of posts circulating on social media that allegedly involve right-back Alex Jimenez. The Premier League club said in a statement released on Friday that Jimenez, 21, would not be in the squad for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Fulham at Craven Cottage due to the investigation.
It is the year 2025, and the frontrunner to win the Ballon d'Or is Ousmane Dembele, forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team. The road to this point has been far from smooth, but this is the end point nonetheless. PSG are the undisputed and unquestionable kings of Europe, winning the European Cup in any format for the first time in their history - a significant feat not just for a team only founded in 1970, but one for the Qatari Sports Investment project which has been hell-bent on continental domination since their takeover in 2011. Luis Enrique's side will be remembered for years to come for their tiki taka-lite style based on fluidity and slick possession football, and at the forefront of their success has been Dembele. With the Ballon d'Or now judged on a seasonal basis - as should have always been the case, thank you, France Football - it is a campaign that should end with Dembele lifting the prestigious Golden Ball in his home country.
Historic Exchange Under Istanbul Agreement In the largest prisoner swap since the full-scale war began, Russia and Ukraine have each released 390 prisoners—comprising 270 military personnel and 120 civilians—as part of an overall 1,000-for-1,000 agreement negotiated during direct talks in Istanbul earlier in May. BBC+4www.ndtv.com+4Deutsche Welle+4Anadolu Ajansı+15Reuters+ Departures and Arrivals Ukrainian returnees arrived in the Chernihiv region, many visibly frail with shaved heads and draped in national flags, greeted by emotional reunions with relatives amid cheers and tears. Reuters+4 The Washington +4 The Daily Star +4. Some had been held in captivity for nearly two years. Russian returnees, including soldiers and civilians captured during a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk region, were first transported to Belarus for medical and psychological evaluation before being repatriated ussia. BBC+3Reuters+3 The Guardian +3. Emotional Homecomings and Lingering Uncertainty Families crowded the exchange sites, clutching photographs of missing loved ones, hoping for a clue from those stepping off the buses. One Ukrainian newly freed veteran, held for more than 830 days, encouraged others not to lose hope: “In every prison there are many guys who had no contact with their relatives. I was the same,” he said The Guardian+10The Washington Post+10The Guardian+10. But for many, the reunion came with heavy uncertainty about family members still unaccounted for. Political Messages and Future Prospects President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the swap as the only tangible outcome of the Istanbul talks and emphasized continued efforts to bring all detainees home. Hromadske The Washington PostThe Guardian. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov promised that Moscow would submit a draft peace proposal following the exchange but reiterated refusal of a ceasefire unless certain conditions were met—terms Ukraine has rejected, according to Reuters The Guardian. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped push for the Istanbul negotiations, congratulated both parties via his social media platform, calling the swap a possible step toward broader peace, though no ceasefire has been agreed upon, according to Reuters and the New York Post. Humanitarian Milestone Amid Ongoing Conflict This first phase swap underscores a rare moment of cooperation in a conflict that has otherwise deepened across Ukraine’s eastern and southern regions. While a few hundred lives have been restored to families, thousands remain in captivity, and both sides show no signs of halting hostilities. Negotiations may continue in coming days as both governments prepare for the next instalment of releases under the "1,000-for-1,000" agreement. For now, the tranche of 390 each represents the largest exchange of its kind since the war began.
Arsenal and Manchester City played out a dramatic 1-1 draw on Sunday, with the two Premier League rivals unable to be separated through 98 or so minutes. Erling Haaland had given the visitors an early lead, before Pep Guardiola remarkably decided to park the bus to try and sneak the win. Those efforts went up in smoke in added time as Gabriel Martinelli scored to clinch a point for the Gunners. Having both slipped up domestically already this season, this wasn't quite a 'must win' affair for either side, but definitely more of a 'must not lose'. In the end, perhaps a draw in which neither team showed much attacking endeavour will please both parties. City seemed content to sit in and create chances on the break, while Arsenal didn't exactly throw the kitchen sink at their visitors in order to force the leveller. It was a pretty just outcome and neither can really have any complaints about how it ended.
North Korea has begun an investigation into an accident that occurred during the launch of a new warship this week, state media said Friday, assessing the damage as "not serious". North Korea said Thursday that "a serious accident occurred" at the Wednesday launch ceremony for the newly built 5,000-ton naval destroyer, in which sections of the bottom of the vessel were crushed -- with leader Kim Jong Un calling the mishap a "criminal act". North Korea has begun an investigation into an accident that occurred during the launch of a new warship this week, state media said Friday, assessing the damage as "not serious". North Korea said Thursday that "a serious accident occurred" at the Wednesday launch ceremony for the newly built 5,000-ton naval destroyer, in which sections of the bottom of the vessel were crushed -- with leader Kim Jong Un calling the mishap a "criminal act". Technology stocks led the gains in the U.S., with Apple (AAPL) up 1.8% and Nvidia (NVDA) jumping 2.4%, as demand for AI and semiconductors remains strong. Tesla (TSLA) also rebounded, rising 3.1% after announcing better-than-expected Q2 vehicle deliveries. Global stock markets showed a mixed performance as investors weighed persistent inflation concerns against a wave of corporate earnings reports. While strong results from major tech companies helped lift some indexes, uncertainty surrounding central bank policies and the future path of interest rates kept others in check. In the U.S.,
Crystal Palace Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 Manchester United head to Selhurst Park under heavy pressure and even heavier scrutiny after a disastrous showing at Old Trafford against Everton. The boos that echoed around the stadium said it all. Losing 1–0 to a 10-man Everton side — and conceding after they went a man down — was embarrassing on every level. From the touchline to the pitch, it was shambolic. Many fans are asking the same question: How much more can the board tolerate before admitting the Amorim experiment has failed? United have not scored against Crystal Palace in their last four meetings — and after the lifeless performance against Everton, confidence isn’t exactly flowing. Starting a match with five defenders against a team reduced to ten men was baffling. Shifting Amad into unfamiliar positions didn’t help either. The tactical confusion is becoming a weekly theme, and now they travel to a stadium where their recent record is terrible. The international break may have come at the worst possible time. United had built momentum with 11 points from five Premier League games, but that form now looks like it was papering over deeper cracks — cracks that were fully exposed on Monday night. The Red Devils are barely hanging on to a top-half spot. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in five straight matches and continue to struggle away from home. Their London record is even worse: 16 losses in their last 26 Premier League games in the capital — the worst of any top-flight side during that period. A painful stat surfaced recently: Amorim: 9 wins in 35 Premier League games, Ten Hag (same period last year): 23 wins. The numbers speak for themselves. Poor in-game management. Poor structure. Poor identity. United ended the Everton defeat with 25 attempts — but scored none — while conceding from the only shot they faced. Their xG tells the same story: xG For: 20.1 → actual goals: 19 (two were own goals) Conversion rate: 10.4% — 7th worst in the league They create chances, but they can’t finish them. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are flying. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer Premier League goals this season. Oliver Glasner’s side sit fifth and have kept three straight clean sheets against Wolves, Brentford, and Brighton. Their defensive confidence is sky-high, and recent history backs it up: Three wins in their last four league games vs Man United (D1) Two wins in their last four at Selhurst Park vs Man United Opta supercomputer predictions says Palace to win is 54.1% United aren’t just underdogs, they’re clear underdogs. So here we are again, asking what has become a weekly question for Manchester United supporters: Will this team finally show 90 minutes of concentration and courage or will they crumble, invite pressure, and rely on another desperate comeback attempt? Comment below with your score predictions! Manchester United record against Crystal Palace: Games won: 41 Games drawn: 14 Games lost: 13 Team News: (As of today 29/11/2025,) Crystal Palace: Caleb Kporha, Borna Sosa, Cheick Doucoure , Chadi Riad and Rio Cardines are out for this game. Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Harry Maguire are out for this game. Prediction: United sometimes deliver when everyone has written them off, and they should have more energy than Palace. But this team has a habit of sleeping through the first half, and Selhurst Park is a brutal place for a team low on confidence. Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United.
Manchester United Vs Nottingham Forrest Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 After a frustrating and honestly embarrassing draw against Sunderland, Manchester United return to Old Trafford this weekend for their final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. It is not just another league game either. It will also be Casemiro’s farewell appearance at Old Trafford after confirming he will leave at the end of the season. On paper, this should feel like a special occasion. The atmosphere, the emotions, the goodbye to a serial winner. But if we are being realistic, with both teams having little left to fight for, it is hard to know exactly what kind of game to expect. United have decided to stick with Michael Carrick, and reports suggest the club will officially announce within the next 48 hours that he has signed a two-year deal with the option of an extension. Credit has to be given to the club for making an early decision instead of dragging the situation throughout the summer. But at the same time, fans are right to ask questions. Did the club really do their homework? How many managers were actually considered? Did they go for the safest option instead of the best option? Those questions are everywhere right now. To be fair to Carrick, he came in to steady the ship, and he achieved that. Finishing third, especially after the Villa and Liverpool results, is not something many expected when he first took over. Results were the priority, and he delivered results. Nobody can take that away from him. But there have also been obvious weaknesses in some of his decisions and performances during these few games in charge. This season, he mainly had one match a week to focus on. Next season is a completely different challenge. United will have Champions League football, domestic cups, and the pressure of competing in the league all at once. That is where the real test begins. We already saw signs of struggle whenever the fixtures came quickly this season. Managing Manchester United over a full campaign is different from managing short-term momentum. Still, he is the manager now, and he deserves support. I will support him. But at the same time, if the warning signs become consistent, people will naturally question whether he is the right man long term. That is football. The board also has to do its part. They cannot continue hiding behind managers while making poor football decisions in the background. Recruitment has to improve. The football structure has to work together properly. Everyone has to move in the same direction. There will be more on that in my special season-ending article. For now, congratulations to Carrick. The real work starts now. What do you think about the appointment? Do you think United made the right decision? The Red Devils saw their impressive scoring run come to an end against Sunderland last time out, with Bruno Fernandes unable to add to his 19 Premier League assists this season. The Portuguese midfielder is now just one assist away from matching the all-time Premier League record, and that could become one of the biggest storylines on Sunday. United are currently on a four-match unbeaten run in the league (W3 D1) and have already secured Champions League football for next season with third place confirmed. Because of that, there is always the danger that complacency could creep into the performance this weekend. However, Old Trafford has been a strong place for United in final home games over the years, with the club losing just once in their last 18 final home league matches. Carrick himself has also lost only twice in his 15 games in charge so far, which explains why the board feels confident enough to back him permanently. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, continue to impress quietly. Their 1-1 draw against Newcastle last weekend stretched their unbeaten Premier League run to eight matches (W4 D4), their best run in the top flight since the 1995-96 season. Elliot Anderson once again showed his quality with a brilliant contribution against Newcastle, continuing to strengthen his growing reputation ahead of the World Cup conversation with England. Since losing away to Brighton on March 1, Forest have remained unbeaten domestically and are now mathematically safe from relegation, sitting seven points above West Ham with only two games remaining. Away from home, they have been excellent recently too. Excluding their Europa League semi-final defeat at Aston Villa, Forest have won their last three Premier League away matches with an incredible aggregate score of 11-1. And United should not ignore the recent history between both clubs either. Forest won 3-2 at Old Trafford last season and are now looking for back-to-back away wins at the Theatre of Dreams. In fact, United have failed to win any of the last three meetings between the sides. For me, the key remains the same as always. Start the game properly, and the points will come. These are end-of-season fixtures where most targets have already been achieved, so the intensity may not be at its highest level. But with Bruno chasing the assist record and Casemiro saying goodbye, there should still be enough motivation inside that dressing room. You can already imagine Bruno trying everything possible to set someone up just to break that record before the season ends. And emotionally, the players should want to send Casemiro off properly. Whatever people think about his recent form, he gave everything to this club and brought leadership during an important period. What do you think? Comment below with your score predictions! Manchester United record against Nottingham Forrest: Games won: 54 Games drawn: 25 Games lost: 36 Team News: (As of today 16/05/2026,) Manchester United: De ligt and Sesko are out injured. Nottingham Forrest: Murillo and Ola Aina are both unlikely to feature on Sunday. Prediction: After the disappointment of their Europa League heartbreak and with injuries affecting the squad, Nottingham Forest could be vulnerable at Old Trafford this weekend. With Bruno Fernandes chasing history and the emotions surrounding Casemiro’s farewell, Manchester United should have enough motivation to finish strongly in front of the home fans. If United start fast and take control early, this could be one of those games that is practically finished before the final 20 minutes. And finally, goodbye to Casemiro. A true warrior, a leader, and a player who gave everything for the badge. Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham Forrest
Chelsea Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 I said it before, when you get your chances, you have to take them. That long 24-day break without football was always going to affect the rhythm, and it showed. We started slowly, looked off it, and before we could settle, we were already two goals down. From there, it was always going to be difficult to recover. Now, the real work begins. United travel to Stamford Bridge on the 18th of April 2026 to face Chelsea, and both teams are coming off disappointing defeats. Hopefully, this one gives us a proper game and not a dull watch. The conversation around the next manager is still ongoing, especially after that loss to a relegation-battling Leeds side. It’s becoming clear the board are not fully convinced about Carrick continuing long term. The “new manager bounce” looks like it’s fading, and even with time to prepare, the team still came up short. Nagelsmann is still being mentioned as a frontrunner, but with the news that Iraola could be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season, things might change quickly. For me, it’s simple, get a manager who actually uses wingers, not just wing-backs, and clear out the deadwood in this squad. We saw what proper attacking recruitment did last summer, and the improvement was obvious. With Casemiro leaving, the midfield is clearly the next big rebuild. What do you think? A crucial battle in the race for Champions League football takes place under the lights at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night, as Chelsea host Manchester United. After that long break, United suffered their first home defeat under Michael Carrick, losing 2-1 to Leeds — a result that was honestly deserved on the night. It also ended Carrick’s perfect run at Old Trafford. Despite that setback, United still sit third in the table, level on points with Aston Villa. But the margin is tight — a loss here would drag them closer to Chelsea and Liverpool, with just five games left. To make things worse, United will be without Martinez and Maguire through suspension. Maguire was supposed to return, but picked up an extra ban for improper conduct after his red card against Bournemouth. That’s a big blow, especially considering the defensive issues we already have… and let’s not even start on the goalkeeper situation. The Opta supercomputer leans towards Chelsea, giving them a 43.7% chance of winning, while United sit at 29.5%. One positive, though, United have not lost back-to-back league games this season. Surprisingly, they are one of only two teams, alongside Arsenal, yet to suffer consecutive defeats. Chelsea, on the other hand, are going through a rough patch. They’ve lost their last three Premier League games, including a heavy 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. Even more worrying, they haven’t scored a league goal since their 4-1 win over Aston Villa in early March. That run has seriously damaged their top-five hopes, with predictions now placing them most likely to finish sixth. Still, history slightly favours them at home. Chelsea have lost just one of their last 12 league meetings with United at Stamford Bridge and are chasing three consecutive home wins against the Red Devils, something they haven’t done since 2006. With both teams under pressure and needing points, this sets up nicely for an open, end-to-end game. Interestingly, this fixture has produced more draws than any other in Premier League history (27), and with both sides having defensive issues, another draw wouldn’t be a surprise. With United missing key defenders and Chelsea struggling at the back too, this could turn into a high-scoring game rather than a tactical one. Even so, the Opta supercomputer still gives United a strong chance of finishing third (38.6%), although fourth (35.0%) and fifth (17.3%) are still very much in play. What do you think? Comment below with your score predictions! Manchester United record against Chelsea: Games won: 84 Games drawn: 57 Games lost: 57 Team News: (As of today 11/04/2026,) Chelsea: James, Gittens, Colwill, Jorgensen, Chalobah, and Mudryk out. Manchester United: De Ligt, Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Mainoo, and Dorgu out. Prediction: That sluggish performance against Leeds has made this game even bigger, this is not one we can afford to lose if we are serious about a top-five finish and Champions League football. The problems are still the same. Start well, and the job is halfway done. Take your chances, and you win the game. Simple things, but this team always finds a way to complicate it. Let’s see if they get it right this time. Tell me your predictions. Chelsea 2-3 Manchester United
Manchester United Vs Crystal Palace Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 Manchester United are back to winning ways after defeating Everton last Monday, thanks to a brilliant counter-attacking move finished off by Benjamin Šeško. Now, an in-form United side are looking to make it 11 Premier League games unbeaten as they welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford, with the business end of the 2025–26 season fast approaching. Some people see this fixture as an audition for Oliver Glasner and Adam Wharton — especially with the strong links to United — but for me, it’s simple: this is just a game we must win. Champions League football is on the line. With Wolves beating Aston Villa on Friday, third place is suddenly there for the taking. That changes the perspective completely. What do you think? In other news, United seem to have steadied things financially. The club reported an increase in profit, with chief executive Omar Berrada stating that the benefits of the club’s “off-pitch transformation” are beginning to show in improved financial performance — even though total debt is now approaching £1.3bn. United posted an operating profit of £32.6m for the six months ending 31 December 2025. That’s a big contrast to the £3.9m loss recorded during the same period the previous year. However, the club also drew down an additional £25m from their rolling credit facility, which now stands at £295.7m. The big question heading into Sunday afternoon is: will Šeško start? It was one of the main talking points in Carrick’s press conference. Since Amorim’s departure, Šeško has scored five goals in six league games, despite playing just under 233 minutes (including stoppage time). That’s one goal every 46 minutes and 34 seconds — elite numbers. No player has scored more non-penalty Premier League goals in 2026 than the Slovenian’s five. Personally, I don’t think Palace will sit back like Everton or West Ham did, so I’m not sure he needs to start. But with Amad looking a bit relaxed since the Arsenal game, rotation might not be a bad idea. These players only play once a week. Amad hasn’t offered enough going forward recently. Maybe push Mbeumo wide and let Amad come in later to shake things up. But then again, I’m not the coach — who am I to break up a winning team? What’s your take? United are the only side unbeaten in the Premier League since Boxing Day, collecting a league-high 22 points in that period. Sixteen of those points have come since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in the dugout. The Opta supercomputer rates United as clear favorites, giving them a 55.9% chance of victory in pre-match simulations. Carrick has overseen a three-game home winning streak, with United scoring multiple goals against Tottenham, Manchester City and Fulham. Ironically, he now faces a manager many believe could potentially replace him. However, United aren’t the only team in form. Crystal Palace have won two of their last three league matches and progressed to the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League. Palace left it late in their most recent Premier League game, securing a 1-0 win over Wolves thanks to a 90th-minute strike from substitute Evann Guessand. They followed that up with a 2-0 European victory over Bosnian opposition, making it three wins in four in all competitions. Even more concerning — they’ve won on their last two visits to Old Trafford. In fact, Palace are aiming to become just the second London club to win three consecutive away league matches at Old Trafford, after Chelsea achieved that between 1967-68 and 1969-70. Glasner, who seems to edge closer to the Palace exit door with every press conference, has kept the headlines busy — but to be fair, his players have been delivering on the pitch lately. Even though we’ve already beaten Palace this season, I still worry about them. Over the last two seasons, they’ve been a thorn in our side at Old Trafford. And whenever United need a big win to cement a top-four spot, nerves sometimes creep in. But since Carrick took over, there’s a renewed belief around this team. It feels different. There’s more control, more confidence. Even with Palace improving, United should have enough to see this through. What do you think? Comment below with your score predictions! Manchester United record against Crystal Palace: Games won: 42 Games drawn: 14 Games lost: 13 Team News: (As of today 28/02/2026,) Manchester United: De ligt, Mount, Martinez and Dorgu out. Crystal Palace: Jefferson Lerma, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Cheick Doucoure and Eddie Nketiah are out. Prediction: The momentum right now is fantastic. With Friday’s result going in our favor, this is a real opportunity to strengthen our grip on the top-four race with 10 games left and no European distractions. Crystal Palace are finding form again, but we should be able to capitalize early and control the game. Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace
Manchester United Vs Fulham Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 What a week it’s been. Back-to-back wins against the top two teams in the league is not a fluke — I don’t care what anyone says. Even the supercomputers were confused. The odds were defied, narratives were torn apart, and Old Trafford finally felt alive again. We even got hit songs out of it — Cunha-Bruno-Shaw and Dorgu-Bruno-Dorgu-Bruno. Moments like this remind you why football is emotional. It genuinely feels like the good times might be coming back to Manchester United. That said, I’m not getting carried away. This squad has always had a habit of showing up against big teams. The real test is what comes next — matches like this one. This Fulham game will tell us whether United have actually improved or if this is just another false dawn. One win away from equalling Ruben Amorim’s longest Premier League winning streak, Michael Carrick and his revitalised United side welcome Fulham to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. With the transfer window closing in England tomorrow, the club has still not brought anyone in. Yes, there have been outgoings — Joe Hugill has left for Kilmarnock — but that’s nowhere near enough. Management's position is that signings will only happen if players are available at the “right price”. To me, that’s just another excuse for poor planning. Smaller clubs are doing business this January, yet Manchester United still doesn’t have a natural left winger. With Dorgu set to be out for almost three months, we’re left with Cunha and Mount — both players who prefer operating as number 10s rather than being pushed out wide. Reinforcements are needed if we’re serious about finishing as high as possible. Everyone knows it: to attract the best players, you have to be playing Champions League football. After silencing the Emirates Stadium last Sunday, United now face another in-form side in Fulham — a team we drew 1–1 with in the first leg. It’s a match Bruno Fernandes will want to put right after missing a penalty last time out, though the midfield issues that plagued that game now appear to be sorted. Carrick’s impact has been immediate. He is the first United manager since February 2010 to record back-to-back wins against teams starting the day in the top two of the Premier League table. As things stand, United are firmly in control of the race for fourth place. The Red Devils head into Gameweek 24 with a one-point lead over Chelsea and a two-point cushion over Liverpool, riding a six-game unbeaten run — the longest in the league right now. United’s summer attacking investment is finally paying off. They’ve scored in each of their last 11 Premier League games and conceded just once in their last three at Old Trafford. The return of Bryan Mbeumo has been massive. United won just 20% of matches while he was away at AFCON, compared to a 50% win rate when he starts. Over the last two seasons, only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland have been involved in more Premier League goals than Mbeumo. A penny for Ruben Amorim’s sexual thoughts as his successor — temporary or permanent — dismantled both Manchester City and Arsenal in consecutive league games, and did so convincingly. Carrick may have passed two of the toughest tests imaginable already, but this won’t be straightforward. Marco Silva has Fulham dreaming of Europe. After an inconsistent start to the season, the Cottagers have lost just once in their last eight matches across all competitions, winning five. Harry Wilson was the hero again last time out, curling in a last-minute free kick to complete a dramatic 2–1 comeback against Brighton. Fulham have picked up 17 points from their last eight league games — the same number they managed in their first 15. That’s the best eight-game run in their Premier League history. Wilson’s form has been central to that surge, contributing to 10 goals in his last 11 appearances. Set-pieces have also become a major weapon. Since December, only two teams have scored more set-piece goals than Fulham. The loss of Dorgu is a blow for United. He’s been involved in five goals in his last seven league appearances and ranks among the league’s best for chances created, possession won, and fouls drawn during that period. Still, history favours United. The Red Devils have lost just one of their last 20 league meetings with Fulham, though that defeat did come at Old Trafford in February 2024. The Opta supercomputer gives United a 51.7% chance of victory, compared to Fulham’s 23.7%, with the draw rated at 24.6%. Fulham, meanwhile, has a win probability of 23.7%, while the draw is ranked at 24.6%. With all the positivity around Old Trafford, this game is about consistency. Fulham will likely sit back and test United’s patience — this will be the first side to face us after those big wins with a clear plan to frustrate. What do you think? Comment below with your score predictions! Manchester United record against Fulham: Games won: 58 Games drawn: 21 Games lost: 16 Team News: (As of today, 31/01/2026) Manchester United: De ligt and Dorgu are out. Fulham: Rodrigo Muniz and Sasa Lukic are out. Prediction: For me, this is where it starts. Five straight wins would all but secure a top-four finish, given how teams below us are dropping points. Beating “smaller” teams has been United’s biggest problem for three years. If Carrick gets this right, I’ll fully back him as the new manager. Manchester United 3-1 Fulham.
