Manchester, October 23, 2026 (V7N) – Beset by infighting and off to their worst league start for decades, Manchester United host Bournemouth on Sunday needing to snap a seven-game winless run to quell talk of another mid-season managerial change.
Michael Carrick's men are 13th in the Premier League and could even drop into the bottom three if results go against them this weekend.
The Red Devils sank to new depths in a 4-1 thrashing by Champions League debutants Como in midweek. Captain Bruno Fernandes took aim at his manager's passive tactics after the match, saying United had to be more "brave."
But Carrick, who apologised to the travelling fans in Italy, hit back at his players for not covering enough ground. "Whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don't run and you don't run forward, and you don't run back, you ain't going to win," said the former United midfielder.
The blunt remarks come just a week after defender Lisandro Martinez criticised the club's board for not investing enough in the transfer market. United's return of seven points from their opening seven games is their lowest of the Premier League era.
At the other end of the table, Manchester City aim to extend their flawless start to the season at Aston Villa on Saturday. City boss Enzo Maresca is the first manager to win his first seven Premier League games in charge of a new club, though the achievement could count for nothing unless City succeed in their appeal after being found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules. City have lost on their past three visits to Villa Park.
Third-placed Brighton, who have scored 23 goals in seven games, face a stiff examination at Liverpool on Sunday. "We can enjoy it, but on the other side it's also very important to stay humble and stay grounded because in football things can change quickly," said 33-year-old manager Fabian Hurzeler.
Fixtures (all times GMT): Friday — Ipswich v Nottingham Forest (1900). Saturday — Aston Villa v Manchester City (1130), Arsenal v Everton, Coventry v Fulham (both 1400), Chelsea v Tottenham (1630). Sunday — Crystal Palace v Newcastle, Hull v Brentford, Liverpool v Brighton, Manchester United v Bournemouth (all 1400), Sunderland v Leeds (1630).
