Manchester United Vs AS Roma Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   With their slump reaching new depths, Manchester United must try to pick up some precious Champions League points when free-scoring Roma visit Old Trafford on Tuesday. It seems everyone is keen to have their say on Man Utd's latest crisis, but the facts speak for themselves. Sparking talk of a possible relegation fight, the fallen giants have picked up just seven points from nine Premier League games this season, failing to score in four of them. Dating back to mid-September, United are now without a win in nine matches across all competitions (D3 L6). That is their longest winless run in 42 years. The 21st-placed Red Devils' last victory in any competition came against European debutants Sabah almost two months ago. This shows just how difficult things have become for Michael Carrick, who could be taking charge of his final match if United suffer another defeat. In other news, the club hierarchy are still insisting on keeping Carrick despite the results. Wilcox and Berrada are also still working on a decision regarding the next manager, and all the signs point towards Eddie Howe. My only issue with this is: have they really done their background checks? Have they researched how long it took his team to understand and adapt to his tactics? How well was he backed? What are his strengths, and where are his weaknesses? These are questions they need to answer before making another appointment. Because when things go wrong, they can simply close their eyes and walk away. Or better still, they should walk out of the door now before making another mistake. Tell me what you think in the comments below. Should Wilcox and Berrada also leave, or should they appoint another manager for us? Bruno Fernandes was also shortlisted for the FIFPRO World 11. The dismal 4-1 defeat at Stadio Sinigaglia left United 21st in the Champions League table, and only the top 24 teams will progress beyond the league phase. Their next opponents are one point ahead of them in 15th place. Responding to a late collapse that cost them victory over Real Madrid, when they conceded three times in the final eight minutes to lose 4-3, Roma were emphatic winners last time out. For 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge, United showed signs that they could finally end their poor run, with the Red Devils creating enough chances to have taken the lead against Chelsea before half-time. Amad Diallo failed to convert two promising opportunities, and while the first-half performance offered some encouragement, there was a feeling that Xabi Alonso's men would not produce another underwhelming 45 minutes. And that was exactly what happened. Morgan Rogers scored a solo goal, helped by United's rather poor defending, before Lisandro Martinez made matters worse by picking up two yellow cards within 90 seconds, conceding a penalty with the second offence. Cole Palmer converted from 12 yards to all but put the game beyond the Red Devils' reach. United are now without a win in nine consecutive matches, having lost their last three and four of their previous five. Carrick received the dreaded vote of confidence less than a week ago following the 3-0 hammering by Bournemouth. However, United, now 17th in the Premier League table and outside the relegation zone only on goal difference, cannot keep losing indefinitely. Something has to give. Manchester United and Roma have met on eight previous occasions, with the Red Devils winning five times (D1 L2). Although the Italian side won their most recent meeting, 3-2 in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals in May 2021, they still lost the tie 8-5 on aggregate. Gian Piero Gasperini's men will be in no mood to do the struggling hosts any favours as the in-form Italian side look to extend Manchester United's winless run. Roma has every reason to believe they can inflict more misery on the Premier League strugglers, given their current five-match unbeaten run, which includes four victories. What is particularly impressive is Roma's goalscoring form. The Serie A side have scored three or more goals in four of those five unbeaten matches. However, their defensive problems remain a concern ahead of facing United's admittedly underwhelming attack. Gasperini's men head into matchday four having conceded three goals in a six-goal thriller against Napoli, two in a 4-2 victory over an out-of-form Cagliari, and another two in Saturday's 5-2 hammering of relegation-threatened Udinese. Will Manchester United finally win a match, or will Carrick finally be sacked? Even though he said in his press conference that he is not worried, he still has a good feeling that the team will perform better on Tuesday. Drop your score predictions below!   Manchester United record against AS Roma: Games won: 5 Games drawn: 1 Games lost: 2     Team News: (As of today 02/11/2026,) Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko, Luke Shaw, and Marcus Rashford are out. Roma:  Muhammed Bah, Paulo Dybala, Manu Kone, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Mile Svilar are out.   Prediction: United's encouraging first-half performance against Chelsea offered little consolation after another defeat. Their nine-match winless run also makes it difficult to trust Carrick's men against such a free-scoring opponent. Roma's defensive problems could give the hosts a way into the game, but Malen and company have our backing to inflict even more misery on the struggling Red Devils. I still want to be optimistic because of our record against Roma. Hopefully, the players can give us something to celebrate this time. Manchester United 3-1 AS Roma.

Chelsea Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   Eight games without a win. Just one victory this season, against Ipswich. What a terrible start to the campaign! But the problem is not just on the pitch. It is an institutional problem, from the top to the bottom. And yet, United travel all the way to London to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in an early kick-off. Will it be more misery, or could this be the beginning of a new dawn?   Both Xabi Alonso and Michael Carrick are at risk of losing three successive games in all competitions this weekend, but few expected the latter to even make the trip to the capital. United were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford last time out, making things even worse after their 4-1 thrashing by Como in the UEFA Champions League just a few days earlier.   After the Bournemouth defeat, the board reportedly held a two-day emergency meeting to decide Carrick's future. However, they decided he should continue despite his poor run of results. They blamed themselves for not backing him properly and also said the players should accept responsibility for their performances.   The Glazers are also reportedly unhappy with INEOS over the way things are going. INEOS, on the other hand, believe the supporters still like Carrick, which is one of the reasons they are continuing with him.   To me, this is all nonsense and embarrassing. The main reason, which I have mentioned before, is that they decided to go cheap. Cheap on the manager, cheap on recruitment, and now they are paying for it with cheap results. They cannot sack Carrick because of the compensation they would have to pay, not to mention the money required to bring in a new manager. Whoever comes in will demand new players, especially after seeing what has happened at the club. What do you think is the reason they haven't sacked Carrick?   The two leading managers reportedly being considered are Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann. Whom would you prefer? Drop your answers in the comments. I want Nagelsmann.   Man Utd could lose by three or more goals in three consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since 1961. Michael Carrick desperately needs a result as his struggling Manchester United side travel to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.   Carrick's side are winless in their last eight games in all competitions (D3 L5) since beating Sabah in the Champions League on 10 September. They have not gone more matches without a victory since a nine-game run in 1988.   Still backed by a large portion of the Old Trafford faithful, which is more than can be said for the players, INEOS and the Glazer family, Carrick has earned an unexpected stay of execution as Man United manager despite the team's declining form.   However, the general feeling among fans and rivals alike is that neither Carrick nor any potential successor can turn the fortunes of the entire club around. That responsibility lies with the people above, who have repeatedly failed in that regard, despite having several names in charge over the years.   As the chaos continues at boardroom level, Carrick is hoping to finally lead Man United to their first away win of the season at the seventh attempt this weekend.   There is also a sense of unrest in the United camp. Carrick dropped captain Bruno Fernandes to the bench for Bournemouth's visit after the Portuguese midfielder seemingly criticised his tactics following the Como defeat. However, Fernandes is expected to return to the starting lineup. Reports also suggest that the pair have held clear-the-air talks, with the aim of turning the club's season around.   Harry Maguire could celebrate his 300th Premier League appearance, although that personal achievement will do little to ease the turmoil surrounding his team. He has played every minute for United this season, alongside Senne Lammens and Bryan Mbeumo.   Hosts Chelsea may find themselves 11 places and six points above Man United in the Premier League table, but morale is hardly any better in West London following successive defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.   A Joao Pedro-less Chelsea side failed to maintain their usual dominance over Spurs at Stamford Bridge, suffering a shock 2-0 defeat. Their EFL Cup campaign then came to an early end in the fourth round after a penalty shootout loss to Liverpool at Anfield. With news of Lacroix's injury also emerging today, Chelsea have a mountain to climb.   Scoring seven goals against Bournemouth and Everton combined after the international break looked like a turning point for Chelsea, but it now appears to have been a false dawn. They have since dropped out of the top four and still hold the unwanted record of having the worst defensive record among the teams in the top 10.   In fact, only Crystal Palace (19) and Ipswich Town (16) have conceded more goals than Chelsea's 15 in the 2026-27 Premier League season. Alonso's men have also conceded an average of two goals per game at home so far.   Furthermore, the Blues suffered back-to-back defeats to Man Utd in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, while winning just three of their last 19 meetings in all competitions. That should at least offer the under-fire Carrick a little hope.   The Opta supercomputer has backed Chelsea to win, with the Blues coming out on top in 51.8% of pre-match simulations.   Who will win? Do these players really have the hunger to save face, or even save Carrick's job? Let us know in the comments section. Drop your score predictions below! Manchester United record against Chelsea: Games won: 82 Games drawn: 61 Games lost: 56     Team News: (As of today 30/10/2026,) Chelsea: Jorrel Hato, Reece James, Pedro, Emiliano Martinez, Aaron Anselmino, Lacroix, and Jamie Gittens. Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko, Shaw, Rashford, Dorgu, Ugarte, and Darlow are out for this game.   Prediction: Nobody is giving the Red Devils any chance, and I honestly don't blame them. We are a mess from top to bottom. We have our defensive problems, and we don't even know how to start games quickly like Chelsea, who love to score early. But even when Chelsea score early, they still have their own defensive problems. At this point, it is about which team can steady the ship and take control of the game. #GlazersOut #INEOSOut #WilcoxOut #CarrickOut Chelsea 1 –   1 Manchester United    

Manchester United Vs AFC Bournemouth Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   This fixture produced eight goals last season, with Manchester United attacking in all their glory, even though the game ended in a draw. The problem back then was our defensive setup, or should I say the players? One year later, and we are still facing the same problem, only now it is much worse than before.   Manchester United take on Bournemouth on Sunday at Old Trafford after suffering another humiliating defeat, this time against Champions League debutants Como. A 4-1 loss. Who would have imagined that in 2026, Manchester United would be losing to Como in the Champions League? How long will these embarrassments continue? Do INEOS and the Glazers want to wait until we are fighting relegation before they realise Carrick is not the man for the job? Certain players should not even be playing for Manchester United in 2026. That shows just how rotten this club has become. The question is not whether Manchester United will beat Bournemouth, but when Carrick will be sacked.   Carrick started his press conference with a six-minute introduction, which was quite different and interesting. He said, and I quote:   "We need to respect what it takes to be here, respect what it takes to win, what you have to do to win. I'm not entitled to be here. Entitlement cannot be at this football club. We're not entitled to win. We've won in the past, we've got an incredible history, but that doesn't mean you're entitled to just win."   Carrick, a highly decorated United player who spent 12 years at the club before leaving in 2018, cited two of his former teammates.   "Ryan Giggs, arguably one of the greatest to play for this club, it was never about Ryan Giggs, it was about Manchester United. Wayne Rooney was top goalscorer of this football club. His biggest thing was playing for the team, sacrificing for the team, and what was good for Manchester United.   "Sir Alex Ferguson, the best manager of all time, the greatest for me … his main priority was Manchester United. Going back to Sir Matt [Busby], Sir Bobby [Charlton], the resilience was beyond belief of what they showed and the way they rebuilt this football club," referring to the aftermath of the Munich disaster.   Carrick insisted he could embody these values and transform United's campaign.   "One hundred per cent, yeah," he said, before confirming that he had spoken to the club's hierarchy and the players about the crisis.   "There's always conversations going on. It's pretty obvious how we're all feeling. The responsibility for me to be in this position is to lead."   Warming to his theme, he said: "I'll hold that umbrella for me to get wet and for everyone else to stay dry. That's the position I'm in, and it's a privileged position."   My question is, who asked for all of this? Your problem goes beyond needing support. You lack in-game management, you are too slow and rigid to adapt during matches, and you are clearly not building a pattern of play to support the team. So why all these speeches? That's all I saw.   It is clearly happening at a time when there are rumours of infighting between Wilcox and Vivell over who the next manager should be. Howe or Nagelsmann? Conte is too big for them; they cannot handle the pressure he would bring. That is why I keep saying that when Carrick leaves, Wilcox and Berrada should leave too. What do you think? Who should be our next manager?   Following Wednesday night's dismal 4-1 loss at the home of Champions League debutants Como, Manchester United are now seven matches without a win (D3 L4) for the first time since 2015, when the glorious reign of Sir Alex Ferguson was still a recent memory.   A multiple Premier League champion under the watch of the legendary Scotsman, Michael Carrick is holding on to the managerial position at Old Trafford by the skin of his teeth, with the Red Devils last tasting victory in early September against Azerbaijan's Sabah FK.   Winning just one of their opening seven Premier League matches, Man Utd are in the midst of their worst top-flight start since 1986-87. Their 45-year-old head coach could be set to leave the Theatre of Dreams if Sunday's match ends in another chastening defeat.   There is a slight cause for optimism ahead of the Bournemouth game. Both of the Red Devils' two competitive wins so far in 2026-27 have come at Old Trafford. However, they are currently on a three-game winless run at home in all competitions (D1 L2).   With Bruno Fernandes struggling for form at the beginning of this campaign, 2025 recruit Bryan Mbeumo has stepped up in front of goal for Man Utd, with the former Brentford hero scoring four times in seven Premier League appearances.   Despite picking up maximum points only once in the Premier League so far, Bournemouth are giving their supporters plenty to celebrate after starting their first-ever European campaign with three straight victories. The humble Cherries are joint-top of the Europa League standings at the three-match mark after Thursday night's 3-0 battering of 10-man AC Milan, with the Rossoneri failing to register a shot on target on the South Coast.   Marco Rose's men have won each of their past three matches - all on home soil - by an aggregate scoreline of 8-0, with Bournemouth aiming to record four consecutive triumphs for the first time since the early days of Andoni Iraola in December 2023.   Finding the net in recent wins over Sunderland and AC Milan at the Vitality, Marcus Tavernier is a surprising leader in the Cherries' Golden Boot race, with the former Middlesbrough man scoring five goals across 11 competitive contests to date.   The days of Bournemouth fearing an English giant such as Man Utd are long gone, with the South Coast club unbeaten in their past six Premier League clashes (W2 D4) against the Red Devils, who last enjoyed success in this matchup during the 2022-23 season.   Who will win? Will the players, who are clearly undermining the manager by speaking out against him, help him save his job? Let us know in the comments section.   Drop your score predictions below! Manchester United record against Bournemouth: Games won: 14 Games drawn: 7 Games lost: 5     Team News: (As of today 24/10/2026,) Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Rashford, Dorgu, Ugarte, and Darlow are out for this game. Bournemouth: Alex Toth and Alex Scott are out.     Prediction: Following the heavy defeat at Como, Manchester United's confidence is on the floor, and Sunday's match could realistically bring an end to Carrick's spell in charge. Three days after dispatching one European giant, Bournemouth should have the momentum and quality to repeat the trick at Old Trafford. For me, this won't be pretty. The pressure is heavy, the boos have been loud in recent home games, and I honestly don't know how Carrick will escape the sack. If Bruno is not punished, then he loses the game. We need to accept the reality that we are a mid-table club. We have lost our fear factor because of bad administration. #GlazersOut #INEOSOut #WilcoxOut #CarrickOut Manchester United 1-3 Bournemouth

Como Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 One win and one loss in the new format of the UEFA Champions League. We definitely need a positive result in Italy. But how do we get it when the last time we tasted victory was September 10? The 20-time English champions have three points from their first two matches of the 2026-27 competition, which has left them in 13th place in the Champions League league-stage table, while Como are 12th, also on three points.   There are still shots being fired at the board, with the fanbase divided over whether to give Carrick more time or demand for structural changes. Even in Ten Hag's recent interview, he hinted that the people at the top keep breaking their promises. Despite all these excuses, we can all see Carrick's shortcomings in his in-game management and decision-making. He lacks so much in these areas, so how long should the board keep him? Let us know in the comments.   It is also rumoured that Fernandes has decided not to renew his contract, which, to me, is a good thing. Let us start rebuilding. The earlier we let go, the earlier reality hits us.   The Red Devils started their 2026-27 Champions League league-stage campaign with a 4-0 victory over Sabah, but they lost 2-0 to Atletico Madrid in their second match last week. Those three points have left them 13th in the overall table.   The 20-time English champions will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Leeds United, with the result leaving them 13th in the Premier League table, having picked up only seven points from their first seven matches of the campaign.   The Red Devils are without a victory in their last six matches in all competitions, drawing three of their last four, and there is currently major pressure on head coach Michael Carrick because of the team's struggles at the start of the campaign.   Man United have some big matches coming up in the Champions League, taking on Roma, Sporting Lisbon, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Villarreal, with the league stage concluding at the end of January.   The Red Devils were absent from UEFA competition in 2025-26 for the first time since 2014-15, and they have lost just two of their last 16 matches against Italian opposition, recording 10 wins in the process.   With Leny Yoro's red card and the defensive injuries, Carrick has a mountain to climb. But with the link-up between Mbeumo and Tielemans, United should still stand a chance.   Meanwhile, Como are one of four debutants in this season's Champions League league phase, having secured qualification for the 2026-27 tournament courtesy of their fourth-place finish in Serie A last term. They also made the perfect start to the competition last month.   Indeed, Cesc Fabregas' side recorded a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig on September 10, but they were unable to follow up that result with another victory, suffering a 3-2 loss to Feyenoord in their second match in the competition last week. That has left them in 12th place, with three points from their first two matches.   Como will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 win over Fiorentina, with the result leaving them fifth in the Serie A table, having claimed 14 points from seven matches.   The Blue and Whites are the 12th Italian club to feature in the Champions League, and history will be made on Wednesday as they face English opposition for the first time.   Como will also tackle Lens, AEK Athens, Real Betis, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona in the league stage of this season's Champions League.   Anastasios Douvikas has been in strong form this season, scoring five goals in nine appearances, and the 27-year-old is expected to feature in the final third of the field. Martin Baturina and Nico Paz will also be notable starters for Como, while Jacobo Ramon is expected to start in the middle of the defence.   People keep saying the team had a better performance in the first half of the Leeds game and that we will see better in this match, so they are tipping United to scrape a win. I am confused. Is it the same team I have been watching? The players' quality is average, the manager is not good enough, and you expect a different result. Maybe I am the deluded one, or maybe I am the one seeing reality. This match will tell. Who do you think will win? Drop your predictions below. Manchester United record against Como: Games won: 0 Games drawn: 0 Games lost: 0       Team News: (As of today, 20/10/2026) Manchester United: Sesko, Martinez, Ugarte, Rashford, Dorgu, Shaw, Heaven, and Tom Heaton are out through injury.  Yoro is out due to suspension. Como: Trevoh Chalobah, Moise Kean, and Assane Diao are out through injury.   PREDICTION We play better when the opposition holds the ball more. We know we are not as good when we have the ball, so we try to hit teams on the counter. They might fall for that trap. Man United are due a win, and their last two performances have been much, much better. Como are a strong outfit, but United should be able to find a way through. Como 1– 2 Manchester United

Leeds United Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 After suffering back-to-back disappointments in the league and Champions League, with a draw against 10-man Spurs and a 2-0 defeat to an in-form Atletico Madrid, United will want to bounce back with a positive result against Leeds in the Roses derby. United have been trying to win five games in a row for two years, but this season, we have managed to go five games without a win. Will Sunday be a new beginning, or will it be more of the same disappointment?   After the 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the UCL, Martinez called out the board and Jason Wilcox in an interview, questioning the direction of the club and simply airing the frustrations of the fans. He was adamant about it and repeated his comments in two separate interviews, which caused quite a reaction from several people in the footballing world, including former Red Devils players.   The only question I have here is this: with the way we have started the season and the recruitment we have done, should Jason Wilcox also be sacked alongside Carrick? Tell me your opinion below.   To me, the entire board responsible for football decisions should leave because they keep repeating the same mistakes every year. We have the same problems every season, all in the name of spending wisely. I don’t want to go into the whole argument about whether Martinez was right or wrong, because it is claimed that the matter has been settled and he has been fined. But the rumours coming out that Wilcox's job is safe are the worrying part. We have a long way to go at Manchester United with the Glazers and INEOS running this club.   I can’t hide the fact that I am mentally preparing myself for this match because I don’t understand how we are going to win it. Desperate for Premier League points and a distraction from their struggles, Manchester United will travel to face bitter rivals Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday.   The Whites are hoping to bounce back after defeat last time out, while the Red Devils are reeling from a five-game winless run. The last time these two teams met, Leeds United defeated us 2-1 at Old Trafford. To me, that was the match that was screaming, "Do not give Carrick the job."   The Red Devils have picked up just one win from their six Premier League games in 2026-27 and have not come out on top in any of their last five outings across all competitions, losing three times and drawing twice since hammering Sabah 4-0 in the Champions League on September 10.   Most recently, Carrick's men followed up a demoralising 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, who had Rodrigo Bentancur sent off, by losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.   That defeat in Spain was made all the more painful by the fact that Man United conceded with just 53 seconds on the clock, before Leny Yoro was dismissed in the second half and Ademola Lookman put the game beyond the Mancunians.   However, the result was overshadowed by post-match comments from Lisandro Martinez, who took aim at the club's Director of Football, Jason Wilcox, in an interview with Amazon Prime.   "I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox]. I have to be honest, as players we have to do more but it is also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night," said the Argentina defender.   Martinez is expected to be involved against Leeds after making a clarifying follow-up statement, but the drama and tension surrounding the Red Devils have only increased over the past week.   Manchester United have had the most shots (125) and the most touches in the opposition box (205) in the Premier League this season. The last four teams to have that many shots at this stage of the season all finished in the top two.   Carrick’s men have just six points from as many Premier League games this season, which is their lowest tally at this stage since 1986-87 under Ron Atkinson (4).   And just like last season, they have not managed to keep a clean sheet in their first six games. This is the first time that has happened in successive campaigns since 1930-31 and 1931-32.   A key factor in Man Utd’s struggles has been a dip in form for Bruno Fernandes. The club captain has not been involved in a goal in any of his past four appearances, his longest such run since a seven-match stretch that ended in May 2025.   Leeds have turned Elland Road into a fortress, though. They are unbeaten there in seven Premier League games, a run that stretches back to a 1-0 loss to Sunderland on 3 March. The last time they went on a longer unbeaten run at Elland Road was a 15-game streak in 2001.   Daniel Farke’s side also impressed away from home in their previous outing, taking the lead against reigning Premier League champions Arsenal before eventually suffering a 2-1 defeat.   Despite that loss, Leeds (7th) go into their meeting with the Red Devils (13th) ahead of them in the Premier League table for the first time since September 2002, excluding Matchday 1, when they won 1-0 at Elland Road.   A win for Leeds would put them six points clear of their rivals after seven games or more for just the second time. They were seven points ahead in December 2001 after playing 15 games.   Daniel Farke's Leeds impressed in the second half of the 2025-26 campaign on their way to securing survival in the top flight, and the team have made a commendable start to this season as they look to build on that foundation.   Heading into Sunday's showdown, the hosts will be buoyed by their excellent record at Elland Road, where they are unbeaten in eight competitive matches, winning five times and keeping five clean sheets in the process.   Man Utd will hope to have Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw available for selection after they sat out against Atletico, but all eyes will be on whether Martinez retains his place in the centre of defence after apologising publicly for his comments. Yoro being banned for the trip to Como in the Champions League next Wednesday also gives Carrick a footballing reason to leave the Argentine out of the side.   Given the Red Devils’ poor form this season, the Opta supercomputer's 10,000 pre-match simulations ultimately gave Leeds the edge in this fixture.   Leeds have a 41.8% win probability, although Carrick’s men still have a solid chance, with a 31.6% likelihood of taking all three points. Who do you think will win? Drop your predictions below. Manchester United record against Leeds: Games won: 41 Games drawn: 35 Games lost: 24       Team News: (As of today, 18/10/2026), Manchester United: Sesko, Ugarte, Dorgu, Shaw, Mainoo and Tom Heaton are out through injury.   Leeds United: Mateo Joseph and Joe Rodon are out.     PREDICTION I don’t understand how United managers start to sound alike when they are about to lose their jobs. Carrick has been repeating the word “perspective” for the past two weeks, and from the perspective of the entire football world, he is not good enough to be a United manager. I am hoping we see a draw, but things can only get worse if we lose. It is now a matter of, “How many more matches before the manager is booted out? Leeds are in the rare position of being above their rivals when they face off, and the Whites will be raring to go up against the struggling giants on Sunday. Man United head into this clash low on confidence, and defeat at Elland Road would not be surprising, considering they are likely to be caught out by the intensity of Farke's side. But as a United fan, I can’t give up on my team. Leeds United 1– 2 Manchester United      

Atletico Madrid Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 From the look of the ‘El Sackico Derby’, it was clear who should lose his job. But with the game ending in a draw, it has bought Carrick a little more time, even though he is still under great pressure to win a match. United take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday at the Metropolitano. Are we going to see the same lazy performances, where we cannot even defeat 10 men, or will we see a better performance that can save Carrick’s job?   Desperate for a positive spark to reinvigorate their season, struggling Manchester United will travel to face in-form Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday for matchday two of the Champions League league phase.   Los Rojiblancos are eyeing a fifth win on the bounce in midweek, while the Red Devils are looking for their first win in five games.   Rumors are circulating that Manchester United are on the hunt for their next manager. The leading candidates are Conte, Nagelsmann, and Eddie Howe. This would be the 13th managerial change in 13 years since Sir Alex Ferguson left, if it happens. What do you think? Should we still give Carrick time to fix his mess, or should we move on quickly and try to save the season? Tell us what you think below.   Left to me, he should leave. I never wanted him in the first place because I could see the problems during the West Ham and Leeds games last season. He is not technically gifted, and he has been outclassed in almost every game, especially when the opposition plays with a back three. It is ironic, or should I say funny?   But then, will the board really sack him and lose money? That has been their excuse since INEOS took over. The rot starts from the TOP. Michael Carrick accepted this rot by not replacing Shaw, not buying a better CB and striker, and reintegrating Rashford. Come on, you built this sinking ship, and the fans saw it coming and protested against it. Let us know your thoughts below. We will write more on this topic, I assure you.   Meanwhile, Michael Carrick's Man United have endured a dire season so far, and it would be a surprise to see them turn things around on Tuesday. Serious questions are being asked, and the pressure is clearly getting to him, especially with his in-game management. We saw it against Spurs when they received a red card.   He tends to be reactionary instead of proactive. He already has a plan, and when things don't go the way they are supposed to, he just continues with what he has planned and makes matters worse. Boos were ringing out during the Spurs match, leaving supporters with little reason for optimism after a four-game winless run across all competitions.   The Red Devils were 4-0 victors over debutants Sabah in their Champions League opener, though they have failed to win any of their four outings since.   After consecutive defeats against Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion, Carrick's men were held to back-to-back 1-1 draws, including a humiliating stalemate with 10-man Tottenham. The Londoners earned a deserved point at Old Trafford thanks to a 92nd-minute header from Dominic Solanke.   Those searching for hope despite the odds in midweek could look to the Red Devils' record against Spanish sides, which has seen them lose just one of their last 11, winning seven times and drawing on three occasions.   That being said, United have not beaten Atletico Madrid in any of their previous four competitive meetings, losing twice in the process and going out 2-1 on aggregate in their most recent encounter during the 2021-22 Champions League round of 16.   The only positive for this match is that when we faced them during pre-season, the Red Devils came from a goal down to win 2-1.   Diego Simeone's Atleti have enjoyed a strong campaign so far, and after picking up where they left off before the international break, they will be confident of success on Tuesday.   Los Rojiblancos overcame 10-man Alaves 2-1 on Saturday, courtesy of a first-half opener from Alejandro Grimaldo and a late winner from former Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero, who was the man of the match when Spurs beat United in the 2025 Europa League final.   That latest victory for Simeone's side mirrored the scoreline from the Madrid derby on September 20, another triumph that saw Grimaldo set the tone with the first goal.   However, while Atletico will head into this clash on the back of a four-game winning streak, they have only come out on top in two of their last 15 matches against English teams, drawing three and losing 10, including their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on September 9.   On the other hand, the La Liga club have only lost two of their 19 fixtures against English opponents in Spain, winning nine and drawing eight. Their most recent result in this run was a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the first leg of last season's Champions League semi-final.   Just like every Manchester United supporter all over the world, we cannot wait for all this drama to be over because we are just waiting for the worst. Will they surprise us?   Who do you think will win? Drop your predictions below. Manchester United record against Atletico Madrid: Games won: 0 Games drawn: 2 Games lost: 2       Team News: (As of today, 12/10/2026), Manchester United: Sesko, Ugarte, De Ligt, Dorgu, Mazaroui, and Tom Heaton are out through injury.   Atletico Madrid: No injury concern.     PREDICTION I will be honest; I am not motivated to make a prediction. I can only see a defeat, and I am just praying it is not an embarrassing one. I am happy Baleba is here; at least we won't be totally lost in the middle. Atletico Madrid are in strong form and will be confident on home turf against a struggling opponent, coming into this showdown on the back of a four-game winning streak. The Red Devils may have beaten Sabah 4-0 on matchday one, but they are unlikely to walk away with even a point from Tuesday's clash, having failed to win any of their last four matches. Atletico Madrid 4 – 1 Manchester United    

Manchester United Vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 Wow, thank God for the international break. We all needed that. It has been a long three weeks, but we were able to breathe after that disappointing start to the league. This pause for international football allowed Manchester United and Tottenham to assess their poor Premier League starts, but they return to action on Saturday when they face each other at Old Trafford. The ‘El Sackico derby’, according to the fans. These two teams meet eight months on from the Red Devils securing a 2-0 home win over Spurs, courtesy of goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes. There has been good news coming out of Carrington, such as Baleba and De Ligt getting minutes in a behind-closed-doors match that ended 2-1 in favour of Manchester United. There is also good news about our noisy neighbours being found guilty of 114 charges by an independent group and the Premier League. I, for one, know they won’t do anything to them because they are bringing politics into it, but share your opinion on what should be the fine or punishment for Manchester City. Drop your comments below. Then for JJ Gabriel, United have decided to offer him a new deal since he just turned 16, which makes it legal now for him to leave United for opportunities abroad, with Madrid also in contention. Should we still sign him with all his father’s drama? Drop your comments below.   United have five points from their opening five games, their joint-fewest at this stage of a Premier League season (also five in 2014-15 under Louis van Gaal). It could have been worse if not for a late deflected equaliser from Matheus Cunha, which salvaged a 1-1 draw away to Fulham. They had trailed after Lisandro Martínez’s own goal at Craven Cottage last time out. The pressure is on Michael Carrick, considering Man Utd are winless across their past three Premier League games (D2 L1), last going four without a win in the competition in May 2025 during an eight-match stretch (D2 L6). Sitting 12th in the Premier League table and already 10 points behind rivals Man City at the summit, Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick is not bothered by the off-field ‘noise’ around his position. However, he will be aware that the margin for error is slim as he tries to recapture the pragmatic magic that rescued their previous campaign. Improvements in defence are required if Carrick wishes to engineer a swift turnaround, as the Red Devils have kept just one clean sheet in seven matches across all competitions this season – a 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah – conceding at least twice in four of those fixtures. Man United have also won just one of their last nine encounters with Tottenham (D3 L5), though that was the aforementioned two-goal success at Old Trafford last season. The Red Devils last won back-to-back games over Spurs between March and October 2022. Manchester United overcame Tottenham in a convincing 54.1% of pre-match simulations by the Opta supercomputer. Spurs have had their worst five-game opening to a Premier League campaign, with two points and a goal difference of -6, eclipsing their 2008-09 struggles (two points, -3 goal difference).   Worryingly for Roberto De Zerbi, more unwanted history could await. Only in 1912-13 (first 12 games), 2008-09 (first eight) and 1955-56 (first six) have Spurs failed to win any of their opening six games of a league campaign. Tottenham’s struggles are hardly short-term, though. Among ever-present Premier League sides in 2026, they have accumulated the fewest points (18) after only escaping relegation on the final day of last season. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has taken full responsibility for Tottenham’s poor start, but he has urged his new-look squad – filled with over £300m worth of summer signings – to show more ‘fight’ and improve defensively after conceding ‘unacceptable’ and ‘stupid’ goals against Villa. Carrick, to me, is the architect of his own downfall. You have something that was working for you and you decided to change it to accommodate a certain player, and it was not a coincidence that after the player left the pitch, we scored. I am not surprised this match is called the ‘El Sackico’. Clearly, one of the two has to leave if either loses this match. I am not so confident of a win, so what do you think? Who do you think will win? Drop your predictions below. Manchester United record against Spurs: Games won: 87 Games drawn: 46 Games lost: 45       Team News: (As of today, 9/10/2026) Manchester United: Sesko, Ugarte, De Ligt, Dorgu, Mazaroui, and Tom Heaton are out through injury.   Tottenham: Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert, and Mykhaylo Mudryk  are out through injury.     PREDICTION Man United will be desperate to strike first to exploit a devastating trend that has seen Tottenham fail to win any of their last 48 matches across all competitions when conceding the opening goal, with 37 of those games coming in the Premier League (D8 L29). Both sides have looked compromised by defensive vulnerabilities and now have mounting injury concerns to deal with, but the Red Devils should ultimately possess the necessary firepower to outscore their visitors and return to winning ways on home soil, leaving De Zerbi’s men rock bottom. We have not had the best start to the season, and we will have back-to-back matches, so we need to start picking up points. I believe we should win, but I am not convinced that we will win. Manchester United 2 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur.        

Fulham Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 After disappointing and embarrassing back-to-back defeats to our city rivals and Brighton, United will take on Fulham on Sunday at Craven Cottage. Am I expecting a different or better result? No. Why? Because Carrick keeps making the same in-game management decisions and showing favoritism. But we have no other choice than to win.   Fulham are enduring their longest winless start to a league season (D1 L3) since 2020-21, when they lost their opening six matches.   Fulham will aim to record their first Premier League win this season and pile further pressure on Michael Carrick when Álvaro Arbeloa’s side welcome Manchester United to Craven Cottage on Sunday.   Slowly sleepwalking into an all-too-familiar autumnal crisis, Manchester United desperately seek to avoid a third straight defeat in all competitions in Sunday's Premier League bottom-half battle with Fulham at Craven Cottage.   Yes, we were victims of one of the most calamitous VAR decisions in Premier League history, but did we put enough effort and energy into winning these two games? I have complained about the fitness of these players from the first pre-season game, and yet it has still become worse game after game.   This is why I point at Carrick. What are these players doing in training? Should Carrick still continue as Manchester United manager? Tell us what you think in the comment section.   The Whites have failed to win any of their first four league matches and sit in 18th place, though they did earn their first point last weekend with a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Liverpool.   A dramatic opening-weekend defeat to Chelsea was followed by losses to Sunderland and Crystal Palace, before Arbeloa’s men held firm at Anfield last time out.   Despite that decent point at Liverpool, this is Fulham’s longest winless start to a league season since 2020-21, when they failed to win any of their opening six matches.   As Carrick's future comes under more scrutiny, his opposite number Alvaro Arbeloa is the bookies' second-favourite to be the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season, only behind the Red Devils boss himself.   The Cottagers' defensive deficiencies reared their ugly heads again in midweek, but to minimal effect as Arbeloa's men reached the fourth round of the EFL Cup with a chaotic 3-2 triumph over West Ham United, courtesy of Oscar Bobb's 78th-minute winner.   However, Fulham took just one point from six on offer against Man Utd in the 2025-26 Premier League, and the Red Devils are unbeaten in 10 consecutive trips to Craven Cottage since a shock 3-0 reverse in December 2009.   For the first time in half a century, before the head coach was even born, Man United lost at Old Trafford after taking a two-goal lead, surrendering a healthy advantage to Brighton a year on from their embarrassing Grimsby Town elimination.   While Red Devils fans could rightly point fingers at the officiating team in their Manchester derby defeat, albeit as well as their 11 men who could not break down 10 men, Wednesday's woeful effort was all on Carrick and his crop, who have also won just one of their four Premier League games so far in 2026-27.   Furthermore, only one of the visitors' six showdowns in all tournaments this season has seen Carrick's men keep a clean sheet – their 4-0 Champions League crushing of Sabah – and Man United have conceded at least twice in four of their other five fixtures.   The Opta supercomputer makes Manchester United favourites ahead of kick-off, with a win probability of 48.3% to Fulham’s 27.5%.   Man Utd, meanwhile, have blown hot and cold this season. Carrick will know his side must respond quickly. Their total of four points from the opening Premier League matchdays (W1 D1 L2) is their joint fewest at this stage of a season, along with 1992-93 and 2025-26.   If Manchester United fail to start well and take advantage of the small doubt that is still inside this Fulham team, we might experience another long weekend or even fall to another defeat because we don’t have a defence, not to mention a manager who can make changes to correct anything. Who do you think will win? Drop your predictions below. Manchester United record against Fulham: Games won: 50 Games drawn: 17 Games lost: 13     Team News: (As of today, 19/09/2026) Fulham: Kenny Tete and Tom Cairney are out through injury.  Manchester United: Amad Diallo, Sesko, Ugarte, Tom Heaton, and Karl Darlow are out through injury.     PREDICTION Back-to-back losses for Man Utd are disappointing enough, but the manner of such losses, against 10 men and a two-goal collapse, have only heightened concerns about Carrick's Red Devils in the long term. If we don’t run or put in more effort, Fulham might use us to get their first win. However, the visitors still have the attacking weapons to trouble a porous Fulham backline, and we have faith in Man United to nip Fulham's brief revival in the bud. Fulham 1 – 2 Manchester United.      

Manchester United Vs Manchester City Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 The Manchester Derby is here, and this will be the first one without Pep Guardiola on the touchline. Yes, I mentioned him. He tormented us, and I am happy we beat him in his last season. And who else did it in his first match? Michael Carrick. I believe we are going to enjoy this derby match, no matter the outcome, because the Red Devils always step up in a derby.   After a convincing 4-0 win over Sabah FC in the UCL, giving us our first clean sheet of the season, United will take on a new Manchester City side that are unbeaten this season. Enzo Maresca has been doing a wonderful job up until now, but United will win this.   Michael Carrick could become only the third Man Utd manager to win his first two league games against Man City, after A.H. Albut in 1895 and John Bentley in 1913.   Erling Haaland has scored eight Premier League goals against Man Utd, with only Mohamed Salah (13) and Alan Shearer (10) netting more.   United target Lewis Hall has signed a new contract at Newcastle. What this means now is that we have to look at another left-back option, but with Dorgu’s performance on Thursday, do we still need to buy a left-back? Who do you have in mind? Let us know in the comment section.   United have endured a mixed start to 2026-27, with a loss and a win against Hull and Ipswich respectively on the first two matchdays, followed by conceding a last-gasp equaliser against Everton last weekend.   But defensively, there is an urgent need for improvement. United have conceded twice in all three of their Premier League games in 2026-27 – they have only previously started three league campaigns by shipping multiple goals in four straight matches, in 1926-27 (first 5), 1930-31 (12) and 1969-70 (4).   With United impressing in attack and looking shaky in defence, the Old Trafford faithful have at least seen plenty of entertainment in recent months.   Since Carrick returned for his second stint in charge of United in January, they have won nine of their 10 home Premier League games (L1), scoring at least twice in each victory. They have won their last three despite conceding twice each time, last conceding multiple goals in four consecutive home league games in January 1972.   Carrick’s first Premier League game upon returning to the United dugout was at home to City, and goals from Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu completed a morale-boosting 2-0 win. He could become only the third Red Devils manager to win both of his first two league games against City, after A.H. Albut in 1895 and John Bentley in 1913.   Manchester City’s performances have not been perfect this season, but with three Premier League victories in the bag, in addition to a 2-0 win at Porto to kickstart their UEFA Champions League campaign in the week, Enzo Maresca will be delighted with their results.   Their 100% Premier League record will be tested on Sunday, though, as Maresca gets his first managerial experience of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.   Eight previous Man City managers have won their first league Manchester derbies – including four this century in Kevin Keegan, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola – and Maresca has already led the visitors to the top of the Premier League table.   Despite only putting one past Coventry City last weekend – Erling Haaland's customary header – the Sky Blues are currently edging out holders Arsenal on goals scored, before the Gunners take on Sunderland on Saturday night.   The Opta supercomputer makes Manchester City favourites for the derby, albeit not overwhelmingly – they have a 45.1% win probability, compared to Manchester United’s 30.6%.   Who do you think will win this derby? I don’t know why, but I have never been so confident of a victory, but I believe United should be able to edge this game. Drop your predictions below. Manchester United record against Manchester City: Games won: 68 Games drawn: 53 Games lost: 53     Team News: (As of today, 13/09/2026) Manchester United: Amad Diallo, Matthias De Ligt, Ugarte, Tom Heaton, and Karl Darlow are out through injury.   Manchester City:  Jeremy Doku is injured.     PREDICTION Derby day has not always gone according to the script of late, as Man City have won just one of their last four Premier League games against Man United, whose fixtures this season have been nothing if not entertaining. Even though the Opta supercomputer believes City will edge it, I have a firm belief that we will surprise everybody. Manchester United 2–1 Manchester City.    

Manchester United Vs Sabah Fc Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 After a last-gasp minute goal by Maitland-Niles to draw the game level on Sunday, United have to dust off the disappointment and focus on our Champions League match against the team from Azerbaijan. It was disappointing because we could have won our last match, but the entire 11, including the manager, have to take the blame. How do we move forward? How do we avoid this type of scenario because it will happen again? That is something the entire board and coaching staff have to solve.   Manchester United will be aiming to begin their 2026-27 Champions League league phase campaign on a winning note when they welcome Azerbaijani outfit Sabah on Thursday night.   This is Man United's first Champions League campaign in three seasons, while it will be the first time that Sabah have competed at this level of European football.   Man United were absent from European competition in 2025-26 for the first time since 2014-15, and this will represent their first Champions League campaign in three seasons and their 26th overall, which is an English record.   In 2023-24, Man United finished fourth in a section which included Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray, and there is undoubtedly pressure on head coach Michael Carrick to deliver a positive Champions League campaign, but winning the trophy this season is a long shot.   Man United will also take on Atletico Madrid, Como, Roma, Sporting Lisbon, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Villarreal in the league phase of this season's Champions League.   Yes, we are back in the Champions League where we belong, but are we ready? Will we beat Sabah Fc, with our record against small teams? We were handed a favourable draw, but we all know this new generation of Manchester United players. These are the questions that linger on everybody's mind.   Sabah, meanwhile, began their 2026-27 Champions League campaign at the start of July, already taking to the field on eight occasions in the competition this season.   The Azerbaijani outfit have beaten TNS, KuPS, Aarhus and Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the 2026-27 Champions League qualifying rounds to secure a spot at this stage for the first time, and they will enter the match off the back of a thumping 5-0 win over Zira in the league.   Valdas Dambrauskas' side, who are the reigning Azerbaijani champions, have made a strong start to their domestic campaign, picking up nine points from three matches to top the division.   The Owls will be coming up against a Man United side that have only won one of their last seven Champions League group-stage matches, suffering four defeats in the process, and they can take confidence from the Red Devils' defensive problems this term.   Sabah have won six of their eight Champions League matches this season, keeping four clean sheets, and they are one of four teams in this season's competition making their debut in the league phase alongside Como, LASK and Viking.   There is no small team when it comes to the Champions League, and if we are to compare form, they are currently better than us. We have to start and end better. Who do you think will win?   Drop your predictions below. Manchester United record against Sabah Fc: Games won: 0 Games drawn: 0 Games lost: 0     Team News: (As of today, 10/09/2026) Manchester United: Amad Diallo, Matthias De Ligt, Ugarte, Tom Heaton, and Karl Darlow are out through injury.   Sabah Fc:  No injuries.   PREDICTION We can't expect an easy clean sheet from United considering the problems we have had at the back, but I still believe we have enough going forward to start our Champions League campaign with a win. After what happened in the Manchester derby, the most important thing is to get the job done early, control the game, and hopefully come out without any injuries. Manchester United 3–1 Sabah FC.  

Everton Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01  A wonderful response to our opening-day defeat was exactly what was needed in our last match. A 7-goal thriller has definitely pushed the narrative that the team was not ready for the season to the bin. The final day of the transfer window might not have gone the way the supporters wanted, but the motivation and anticipation for the next match against Everton have not wavered.   The David Moyes derby takes centre stage on Sunday, when Everton welcome Manchester United to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Premier League Gameweek Three.   The Toffees maintained their unbeaten record in 2026-27 with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth last time out, while the Red Devils got off the mark in emphatic fashion with a 5-2 crushing of Ipswich Town.   On the matter of the club, the fans were clearly not happy that a left-back was not signed during the final days of the transfer window. The club made a few enquiries on the last day but decided that they would take care of it in the January transfer window.   The fans are angry about it because this was exactly what was said last season, and we didn't end up signing anybody in the January transfer window. With this season having so many fixtures and Luke Shaw not giving the fans any confidence that he can survive until January without an injury, you can understand the fans' anxiety.   Even though Dorgu was registered as a left-back, he has played more as a winger under Carrick than as a left-back. I guess that's why the club did not get a left-back.   We are all happy about the midfield rebuild done this season and the attack that was strengthened last season, but we are a big club. We should fix all our glaring problems once and for all so that we can quickly build a team that can compete.   Tell me what you think of our transfer activity. How do you rate it? The Red Devils' triumph over the Tractor Boys took them up to 42 points since Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim—more than any other team in that time—and the Englishman could now become just the sixth Premier League manager to win 45 points from his first 20 matches during a single spell at a club. Even if Man Utd fall behind again on Sunday, disaster may not strike. The last time the visitors conceded the first goal in their first three Premier League games of the season was in 2012-13, the last time they conquered the league. Last season, the two games ended with a 1-0 win for each side. United won at the Hill Dickinson with a late Sesko goal.   Will Manchester United be able to continue the winning streak at this new Everton home ground? The wily Scotsman is unlikely to be overjoyed at the prospect of a reunion with his former employers, having suffered 23 defeats as a manager against Manchester United in the Premier League—only Harry Redknapp (24) has lost more. However, Moyes has overseen a praiseworthy beginning to 2026-27 for the home side, who followed up an opening success over Crystal Palace and an EFL Cup crushing of Preston North End with a comeback draw against Bournemouth. As the owners face a fan revolt after a nightmarish end to the transfer window, Everton are now just 90 minutes away from winning back-to-back Premier League matches at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for just the second time ever. However, not since the 2021-22 season have they prevailed in their first two top-flight home fixtures. With Grealish, Maitland-Niles and Brennan Johnson, who likes scoring against Manchester United, arriving, and Ndiaye leaving, Everton will have a new-look attack on Sunday against Manchester United. Will Manchester United start better and be fitter against Everton? Will they find a way to win on Sunday?   Drop your predictions below. Manchester United record against Everton: Games won: 97 Games drawn: 48 Games lost: 72     Team News: (As of today, 06/09/2026) Everton: Christian Norgaard out through injury.   Manchester United:  Amad Diallo, Matthias De Ligt, Ugarte, Tom Heaton, and Karl Darlow are out through injury.   PREDICTION After the first two games, both Everton and Manchester United have recorded six direct attacks each, so I expect chances to come for both teams on Sunday. But after the disappointment at Hull and the way we responded against Ipswich, I believe United now have the confidence and attacking quality to cause Everton problems. If we play like we did in our last game, I can see us getting the win and handing Moyes his first defeat of the season.   Everton 1-2 Manchester United.  

Manchester United Vs Ipswich Town Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 It wasn't the start we had hoped for. It wasn't the first game of the season any fan wanted to remember. That just tells you how shambolic we were in our last game against newly promoted Hull. Yes, we lost to a promoted club. Now we are facing another newly promoted team, Ipswich Town, on Sunday at Old Trafford. The question on every fan's mind is: Are we really ready for the new season? From what we saw, our fitness is clearly not where it should be.   The Red Devils were beaten by Hull City on the opening day, suffering their first-ever top-flight defeat to the Tigers, while Gary O'Neil's side marked their return to the Premier League with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sunderland, courtesy of Jack Clarke's 90th-minute winner against his former employers.   In other news, United announced the signing of Baleba from Brighton, which to me completes the midfield revamp. United are still looking at signing a left-back and a striker. Zirkzee might leave on loan to Fiorentina, which means we will need another striker. Hopefully, we move fast because there are just two days left before the window closes.   I would want Mateta or Woltemade to come in if Zirkzee leaves. We might need extra height if we continue struggling for goals. They both bring height and finishing ability, although Mateta has more experience. For the left-back position, I don't mind who we get except Balde because of his injury record. Who would you want Manchester United's recruitment team to sign?   The Champions League draw has also been made. United will play Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid, Roma, Sporting CP, Leipzig, Villarreal, Sabah and Como. There are some familiar faces in there, but what do you think of the draw?   Can Manchester United qualify directly, or will we end up going through the playoffs? Tell us your predictions.   Man United could lose their opening two games of a Premier League season for only the third time, having previously done so in 1992-93 and 2022-23. That becomes a real possibility if we play the same way we did against Hull City.   Carrick also has a lot to explain when it comes to how we struggle against teams playing three at the back. They choke the midfield, switch the ball to the other side and we struggle to deal with it. Our fitness is also terrible. There was one thing Amorim got right, and that was the fitness of the players.   Michael Carrick is winless in his three managerial meetings with promoted clubs in the Premier League (D1 L2). His team could become the first in Premier League history to start a season with back-to-back losses against promoted sides. But Carrick has not lost back-to-back games as United manager. Hopefully, that doesn't change on Sunday.   There was a familiar sinking feeling for Manchester United last week, as they made a losing start to a Premier League season for the fourth time in seven years.   And the nature of their latest Matchday 1 defeat—a 2-0 loss to promoted Hull City that came via two set-piece goals in the first half—has understandably set alarm bells ringing among United supporters.   The Red Devils will hope that a quirk of the fixture list provides them with a chance to get back to winning ways, as they are the first team to open a Premier League campaign with two matches against promoted sides since Bournemouth in 2019-20, when they faced Sheffield United and Aston Villa. It is the third time United have done so, after 2001-02 (Fulham, Blackburn Rovers) and 2009-10 (Birmingham City, Burnley).   Carrick is winless in his three Premier League meetings with promoted clubs (D1 L2), averaging just 0.33 points per game in those matches, compared to his 2.47 points-per-game average against non-promoted teams with United (P17 W13 D3 L1).   The Opta supercomputer is backing Manchester United to get their season up and running on Sunday, giving them a 66.4% chance of beating Ipswich Town.   Ipswich, meanwhile, marked their return to the top flight in style with a last-gasp victory over Sunderland, as Clarke's 90th-minute goal secured all three points for the Championship runners-up against a strong Sunderland side who impressed in the Premier League last season.   Ipswich had suffered relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2024-25 campaign after finishing 19th with 22 points from 38 matches, winning just four times throughout the season.   The Tractor Boys entered the 2025-26 campaign still under Kieran McKenna, who immediately guided them back to the Premier League after a second-placed Championship finish with 84 points.   McKenna then made the surprise decision to take a break from management during the summer, leaving Ipswich to appoint former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Strasbourg boss Gary O'Neil.   O'Neil arrived at Portman Road with plenty of work to do, and Ipswich made a significant investment during the summer in their bid to avoid another immediate relegation. They spent more than £100m in the transfer window, with seven new signings making their debuts on the opening day.   The new arrivals immediately repaid that faith as Ipswich beat Sunderland 2-1 to claim their first Premier League victory of the campaign, something they had waited until November to achieve during their previous top-flight spell.   Will Manchester United start better and be fitter against Ipswich? Will they find a way to win on Sunday? Drop your predictions below Manchester United record against Ipswich Town: Games won: 30 Games drawn: 10 Games lost: 19     Team News: (As of today, 29/08/2026) Manchester United: Amad Diallo, Matthias De Ligt, Ugarte, Tom Heaton, and Karl Darlow are out through injury.   Ipswich Town:  Azor Matusiwa and Florentino Luis are unavailable thro.ugh injury PREDICTION I am clearly not confident going into this match because of what I witnessed in the last two games. But I believe the fans will push us to the end. These players just have to step up.   The visitors should provide another stern test after their impressive opening-day victory. But we have to do better. We cannot afford to lose another game against a newly promoted team. Manchester United 2-1 Ipswich Town.