Manchester United FC: Michael Carrick will make his debut as interim coach of former champions Manchester United with one of the toughest games imaginable as his side hosts neighbour and cross-town rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Advertisement

Carrick was three games in charge at Manchester United at the end of 2021, but will now be holding fort for the rest of the season and takes over after another difficult week following an FA Cup exit at home to Brighton.

Advertisement

A win at home to Pep Guardiola's side would be the perfect way to kick-start Carrick's 17-match spell in the Old Trafford dugout, but although Manchester City have several key defenders, such as Ruben Dias, out of action, it was still a big ask, reports Xinhua.

Arsenal would no doubt be delighted if Manchester United could do them a favour, with Manchester City already six points behind in the Premier League title race.

Mikel Arteta's side travels to play Nottingham Forest, knowing that its main task will be to break down the packed defense that coach Sean Dyche is likely to present.

Arsenal had a Carabao Cup semifinal first-leg tie away to Chelsea in midweek, and Arteta has to ensure he fields as fresh a side as possible on Saturday evening after a non-stop beginning to 2026.

Advertisement

Liam Rosenior will be in charge of his first Premier League game after being named as the new Chelsea coach last week, and he faces a difficult game at home to Brentford, who have surprised everyone by climbing up to fifth in the table.

One of Brentford's attacking weapons is Michael Kayode's long throw, and with Chelsea struggling to defend balls hoisted into their penalty area, that is something Rosenior will have to work on against one of the league's most in-form sides.

Third-place Aston Villa have to wait until Sunday for their home game against Everton, with Unai Emery's side recovering well from its defeat at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium with wins over Nottingham Forest and Tottenham (the latter in the Cup) and a draw away to Crystal Palace.

Advertisement

Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rodgers should make the difference against an Everton side that still struggles to create chances.

Liverpool coach Arne Slot needs to find a replacement for long-term injury victim Conor Bradley for his side's home game against a Burnley side without a league win since October, but who thrashed Millwall in the FA Cup last weekend for a morale boost.

Tottenham hosts West Ham with both sides desperate for three points, and with the visitor hoping new signing Taty Castellanos can repeat the scoring feat of last weekend's Cup win over Queens Park Rangers.

Advertisement

Sunderland looks for its first league win after four draws and a defeat in its last five matches when Crystal Palace visits the Stadium of Light, hoping to forget last weekend's historic Cup humiliation at the hands of sixth-tier Macclesfield.

Tottenham hosts West Ham with both sides desperate for three points, and with the visitor hoping new signing Taty Castellanos can repeat the scoring feat of last weekend's Cup win over Queens Park Rangers.

Also Read: Live Cricket Score

Bottom of the table Wolverhampton has two draws and a win in its last three matches and has a chance of continuing its run at home to Newcastle United, whose form dips considerably away from home, while the round of games ends on Monday with a south-coast derby between Brighton and Bournemouth.

Article Source: IANS
Advertisement

About the Author

IANS News
IANS is one of the largest independent private Indian news agency in India. Founded in the year 1986 by Indian American publisher Gopal Raju as the "India Abroad News Service" and later renamed. Their main offices are located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Read More
Latest Cricket News