Manchester United have contacted former France head coach Didier Deschamps as a potential successor to Michael Carrick, according to Footmercato.

Carrick remains under scrutiny despite Tuesday’s 3-2 comeback victory over AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League.

Deschamps won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League for the Blues before leaving his position in July.

The 58-year-old began his managerial career at AS Monaco and later took charge of Juventus and Marseille. He won eight titles in charge of the three clubs.

Deschamps is open to returning to club management. He was reportedly linked with Real Madrid, but the Spanish giants opted for Jose Mourinho instead.

He has also been linked with Juventus, but he is not open to a return to the Italian giants.

United have reached out to Deschamps in ‘recent days’, but it remains to be seen whether he would be convinced about joining the club.

The former France midfielder is not in a hurry to secure a new managerial role. He is said to be willing to wait until next summer before making a decision on his next destination.

United have several players who could thrive under Deschamps, which could explain their interest in him.

His approach is based on defensive organization, physical intensity, and quick transitions.

However, he came under criticism for not fully utilising France’s attacking players. His in-game management also came under scrutiny.

Deschamps also relied heavily on individual balance, a luxury he may not enjoy at United.

His record suggests that he is capable of building a title-winning squad, but his approach may not satisfy Man United fans, particularly during the early stages of his tenure.

Article written by Henry Thornton .

Manchester United will host Aston Villa on Sunday in the final Premier League game ahead of the November international break.

The Red Devils returned to winning ways against AS Roma in midweek after a sensational second-half comeback.

Head coach Michael Carrick remains under considerable pressure, with United languishing in 17th place in the Premier League table.

Villa are a formidable opponent, but a victory on Sunday could provide Carrick with some much-needed breathing space.

Here we look at three changes the United manager could make to the starting XI against Villa.

Shea Lacey time

Carrick has continued to show faith in Amad Diallo, but the Ivorian is yet to repay that trust with consistent performances.

The 24-year-old possesses considerable attacking talent, but his confidence in front of goal appears to be at a low point.

That was evident against Roma when Bruno Fernandes picked him out inside the penalty area, only for Diallo to hesitate and miss the opportunity to get his shot away.

Lacey made a sensational impact against the Italian side and showcased exactly what he could offer United’s attack.

Carrick should now be willing to take a calculated risk and hand the 19-year-old a place on the right flank against Villa.

Youri Tielemans returns

Tielemans started every United fixture this season before being left out against Chelsea last weekend.

He is expected to return to the starting XI after Carlos Baleba suffered a hamstring injury on Tuesday evening.

Baleba appeared to be in considerable pain before being forced off, and his absence could leave Carrick with a significant vacancy in midfield.

Tielemans would be a natural option to fill that gap, potentially partnering Kobbie Mainoo in the midfield pivot.

Noussair Mazraoui starts, Ayden Heaven dropped

Ayden Heaven has been handed several opportunities to impress, but costly mistakes have undermined some of his recent performances.

The young defender undoubtedly has considerable potential, but he may benefit from a more stable environment and time to develop away from the pressures of regular first-team football.

United will also be without Lisandro Martinez, who is suspended after receiving two bookings against Chelsea.

Carrick could use this opportunity to bring Noussair Mazraoui into the starting XI at right-back, allowing Leny Yoro to move into his preferred centre-back position alongside Harry Maguire.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United finally returned to winning ways after a nine-game wait, producing a remarkable 3-2 comeback victory over Roma in the UEFA Champions League yesterday.

Matheus Cunha delivered a heroic performance, winning the penalty that sparked United’s revival before scoring the all-important brace to complete the turnaround.

Shea Lacey also earned lavish praise for his impressive cameo, but Leny Yoro deserves just as much recognition for his contribution to the memorable victory.

Yoro started again in the unfamiliar right-back position and delivered a sumptuous performance.

The 20-year-old completed 89 per cent of his passes and made eight defensive contributions.

His defining moment came in the 39th minute, with United already trailing by two goals and desperately needing to avoid further damage.

Roma had scored twice by exploiting the same tactical approach, overcrowding one channel before quickly switching play with a diagonal pass to catch United’s defence out of position.

The visitors attempted the same move again, but Yoro produced a remarkable recovery run, racing back into his own penalty area before throwing himself into a perfectly timed sliding block to deny what looked like a certain third goal for the Italian outfit.

His last-ditch recovery effort was applauded by the Old Trafford crowd.

Had Roma gone into half-time with a three-goal advantage, the contest could have been beyond the hosts’ reach.

The Frenchman has improved vastly this season, with his role at right-back helping him showcase his technical ability on the ball.

The youngster is also becoming increasingly confident when contesting aerial duels while continuing to develop into an effective ball-carrier.

INEOS will be delighted to see their surprise £52 million investment in 2024 beginning to pay dividends, with the Frenchman showing exactly why the club were willing to spend so heavily on him.

He is the future of the club and deserves backing even if he makes a few mistakes.

Stats from Fotmob.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United returned to winning ways on Tuesday night with a splendid 3-2 victory over Roma in the Champions League.

The Red Devils trailed 2-0 after just 17 minutes at Old Trafford but made a terrific comeback after the break to secure a much-needed win.

Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot before Matheus Cunha made headlines with two late goals to end United’s nine-game winless streak.

Despite the win, there were underlying concerns in the defensive department. Ayden Heaven in particular had a disappointing display.

Heaven and Diogo Dalot were caught largely out of position as Matias Soule was gifted an easy chance to open the scoring for Roma.

Dalot was mostly to blame for staying higher up the field, but Heaven should be criticised too, having also missed a headed clearance in the lead-up.

Things went from bad to worse for Heaven as he conceded a penalty for a blatant handball. Donyell Malen comfortably converted the spot-kick.

Heaven had another moment where he was physically outsmarted. The centre-back eventually picked up a yellow card before Lisandro Martinez replaced him in the 75th minute.

We feel Heaven should be dropped to the bench after an underwhelming display.

With Martinez suspended after his sending-off at Chelsea last weekend, manager Michael Carrick must unleash Matthijs de Ligt in the heart of United’s backline when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

Carrick had the opportunity to pair De Ligt and Harry Maguire in the starting XI on Tuesday, but he chose to field Heaven instead, a decision which did not prove worthwhile.

Martinez replaced the teenager after his late caution, while De Ligt came on just before stoppage time.

Ideally, it should have been the other way around, given Martinez is suspended for the next league match.

In our opinion, Carrick should resist the prospect of starting Heaven alongside Maguire again, given the Arsenal graduate has struggled this campaign when under pressure.

The 20-year-old has been guilty of several unforced errors and could have another difficult game against Unai Emery’s side, whose midfielders and forwards possess a high work rate.

United ideally need a centre-back with better ball control and distribution under the press, and it appears a no-brainer decision to pick De Ligt over Heaven against the Villans.

De Ligt, signed for £42.8 million from Bayern Munich in 2024, has made just one start this season against Como, where he struggled after returning from a lengthy back injury. Since then, the Dutchman has barely played for a fortnight, but he has had the opportunity to build his fitness.

The other choice would be to field Yoro alongside Maguire. In that case, Diogo Dalot could move to right-back with Noussair Mazraoui possibly on the opposite end. Carrick may prefer minimal positional changes in the backline, which means De Ligt would be an ideal replacement for Heaven on Sunday.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Manchester United suffered an untimely blow yesterday after midfielder Carlos Baleba sustained a hamstring injury against Roma in the Champions League.

The Cameroonian got into a brilliant scoring position in the box early in the second half, but he pulled up before he could shoot.

He was soon replaced by Youri Tielemans, who delivered a fine performance after being an unused substitute against Chelsea.

His performance certainly impressed United legend Peter Schmeichel, who said that the Belgian ‘changed the game’ in the 3-2 comeback win at Old Trafford.

He told CBS Sports: “Youri Tielemans came on and he changed the game. That’s the best I’ve seen him play for Man United and I’m so pleased for him.

“He came into that midfield and he drove the team forward and he was a leader, it was brilliant to see.

“That for me can be a big turning point. Those players have now felt what it feels like to be a Manchester United player and play in these big European nights.”

Tielemans poised to start vs Villa

Baleba sustained an unfortunate setback against the Giallorossi last night. Andrey Santos would have been the natural replacement, but manager Michael Carrick chose an attack-minded solution.

Tielemans came on and brought a fresh lease of energy with his fine passing range. He completed 96 percent of his passes (26/27) while winning two duels and making a couple of recoveries.

The Belgian lost possession just once and drove the team forward with the ball.

His fine display has pretty much ensured that he will start alongside Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield during Sunday’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

The £35 million signing knows the strengths and weaknesses of Villa’s midfield, having played for them for three seasons, but the same can be said for the Midlands outfit too.

Tielemans’ main concern over the years has been his limited mobility, which makes him vulnerable to the high press. With John McGinn in the opposition ranks, the Belgian faces a real challenge.

Santos is the other option at the manager’s disposal, but we still feel Tielemans will get the backing to accompany Mainoo after his promising display off the bench against the Giallorossi.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Manchester United produced a remarkable comeback to beat AS Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League yesterday.

The Red Devils looked destined for another miserable evening after Roma raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes, once again turning the spotlight on head coach Michael Carrick.

However, Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty to spark the revival before Matheus Cunha stole the show with a superb brace to complete a memorable turnaround.

While Cunha will grab the headlines, Carrick was blown away by Shea Lacey, who came on as a substitute in the 75th minute and bagged 9/10 player ratings in our analysis.

The United manager said at the post-match press conference: “I’m delighted for Shea, we love him to bits. He’s so talented and desperate to do well.

“We moved Matheus inside in the second half and put Bryan [Mbeumo] out wide on the left, just to try to give ourselves a better balance. The boys respect Shea a lot.

“He’s desperate to do well and he was even defending at right-back towards the end, which I was joking with him about after the game.

“It just shows what he’s prepared to do, and to see young players take opportunities like that, there aren’t many better things, I must say.”

Lacey delivered a fantastic performance to bring United back into the game in the final 15 minutes.

His impressive display may have caught some supporters by surprise, but it will come as no shock to those who have followed his rapid rise through the academy ranks.

The 19-year-old repeatedly took on his marker, completing three successful dribbles and carrying the ball with real purpose in the final third.

He also showed impressive composure in possession, completing all seven of his passes and winning 80 per cent of his duels.

His awareness and the exquisite weight of his pass to find Cunha were particularly impressive, showing the technical quality that makes him such an exciting prospect.

Carrick will be delighted to see the youngster delivering on such a big stage, especially after the injury setbacks that disrupted the early stages of his career.

The 45-year-old should now plan to start Lacey in the next game. His confidence will undoubtedly be soaring after making such a telling contribution in a crucial European encounter.

The victory over Roma will provide some much-needed relief for Carrick, but the pressure on the United head coach is far from over.

A positive result against Roma may have bought him some breathing space, but beating Aston Villa this weekend could prove decisive in determining his future at Old Trafford.

Stats from Fotmob.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United completed a wild comeback against AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League yesterday.

The Red Devils looked set for another difficult evening after Roma raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes.

With their backs against the wall, United desperately needed a response, and Bruno Fernandes delivered by converting a penalty to halve the deficit and reignite the Old Trafford crowd.

Matheus Cunha then stole the spotlight, scoring twice in the final seven minutes to complete a sensational turnaround.

Fernandes spoke after the game for the first time since his comments following the 4-1 defeat to Como, during which he blamed head coach Michael Carrick for his tactics.

The 32-year-old acknowledged that Carrick was right to leave him out of the starting XI against Bournemouth, accepting that his performances had not been good enough.

He said (via Amazon Prime Video Sport): “We’ve been working so hard to get out of this situation altogether. It’s been tough, there’s been a lot of speculation in the media, a lot of lies around many things that have happened in this club. Between me and the manager, that we had cleared the air, then after, nothing of that happened.

“The manager took a decision of putting myself be on the bench because I wasn’t performing at that level. Everyone felt that that was a punishment for the words that I had said. If it was, it was right.

“The manager is the one that makes the decisions. I have to accept them, I have to go forward with that. It doesn’t change the belief I have in the manager, in the staff and every player that is in this club.”

Acknowledgment from Fernandes shows the line has been drawn

The Portuguese midfielder is undoubtedly the best United player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

He has won the prestigious Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award a record five times.

For the past six years, he has shouldered an enormous responsibility at Old Trafford and deserves enormous credit for his commitment and consistency.

However, publicly directing criticism at Carrick was a significant mistake that could have been avoided.

Fernandes is entitled to voice his concerns when the team is struggling, but such conversations should take place privately between the captain and his manager.

Publicly undermining the head coach was the wrong approach, and Carrick was justified in dropping his captain after those comments.

Both men clearly care deeply about United, and putting their differences aside is essential if they are to turn around the 2026-27 campaign.

Stats from Fotmob.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United ended a nine-match winless streak with a memorable 3-2 comeback victory over Roma in the Champions League last night.

The Red Devils were 2-0 down after just 17 minutes at Old Trafford, and things looked gloomy heading into half-time for manager Michael Carrick.

United staged a fantastic comeback after the interval. Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot, followed by a late brace from Matheus Cunha.

Cunha capitalised on a defensive error to equalise in the 83rd minute before bagging the winner three minutes later with a powerful strike from a tight angle.

The Brazilian, unfortunately, did not receive the man of the match.

He was booked for taking his shirt off during the celebration for the winner, and he soon received his marching orders with a second yellow card for a reckless foul.

Aside from Cunha, Fernandes and Shea Lacey were particularly good in the second half. The latter came on as a substitute for Amad Diallo and made a big impact.

Amad had another disappointing outing from the right wing. He did not provide a single key pass and was guilty of losing possession on nine occasions on the night.

Lacey was eventually handed the chance to influence the game in the 75th minute, and the youngster definitely fared better, providing the assist for Cunha’s fine winner.

The 19-year-old, who received a 7/10 rating from Goal.com, also won more dribbles than Amad (three to two) and almost as many duels (four to five) despite playing for just over 20 minutes.

Lacey also completed 100 percent of his passes, and in our opinion, manager Michael Carrick must unleash the teenager on the right wing against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Despite last night’s win, Carrick will be under pressure for the weekend’s Premier League game, considering United are just goal difference adrift of the drop zone (seven points).

They desperately need to return to winning ways in the league too, and Carrick must make a shrewd decision and hand Lacey his full Premier League debut against the Villans at home.

It appears a no-brainer decision to pick Lacey over Amad, and Carrick has no excuses.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Manchester United returned to winning ways with an impressive 3-2 comeback win over Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

The Red Devils went into the game on a nine-match winless streak, and they made the worst possible start.

A defensive lapse gifted Matias Soule the opening goal in the 11th minute. Donyell Malen doubled Roma’s lead from the penalty spot soon after.

United could have easily gone 3-0 down before the interval, but right-back Leny Yoro came up with a crucial clearance ahead of Rodrigo Mora.

The second half was a different picture. Bruno Fernandes reduced the deficit from the penalty spot.

He missed his first effort but fortunately scored from the retake.

Matheus Cunha capitalised on a defensive error from Roma’s Leonardo Balerdi to equalise before scoring a stunning winner in the 86th minute.

Cunha was the man of the moment at Old Trafford. He won the penalty to start with, before changing the complexion of the game with two late goals. His late red card was the only downside.

Club graduate Shea Lacey also earned plenty of plaudits from the fans after a splendid cameo on the right wing, coming off the bench.

The 19-year-old replaced Amad Diallo in the 75th minute and played with a positive mindset, winning an impressive three out of four dribbles.

The youngster completed 100 percent of his passes, while winning four out of five duels contested.

He eventually made a big impact with a fine assist for Cunha’s winner. The Brazilian capitalised with a powerful strike to beat the goalkeeper at his near post.

Shortly after the game, Lacey took to Instagram to celebrate the comeback win with the faithful.

He wrote: ‘Until the very end. Thank you Old Trafford.’

Several United teammates were undoubtedly pleased with his sensational cameo, including Cunha, who highlighted his faith in the youngster’s ability.

He commented: ‘It shows how much I believe in you.’

Amad Diallo lacked the cutting edge in his end product against Roma. He was barely an attacking threat in the final third, and Lacey provided an upgrade.

Lacey was more direct in his dazzling cameo and showed why the club rate him highly with a fabulous pass to Cunha to seal the comeback win at home.

Amad has looked short in confidence with the lack of goal contributions, and it appears time for manager Michael Carrick to play Lacey as a starter on the right wing.

United host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday before the international break.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Manchester United pulled off a remarkable comeback to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Roma in the UEFA Champions League at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils endured a nightmare start as the visitors ruthlessly exposed their defensive weaknesses down the left flank.

Roma struck first through Matias Soule before Donyell Malen doubled their advantage just six minutes later with a perfectly executed penalty.

With United staring at another humiliating defeat, it looked as though their miserable run was set to continue.

However, Matheus Cunha had other ideas, inspiring a stunning turnaround with a match-winning display.

The Brazilian won the penalty that allowed Bruno Fernandes to pull one back, with the United captain scoring at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved.

Cunha then took centre stage, scoring twice in the space of three minutes to complete United’s remarkable comeback and secure their first victory in 10 games.

Player Ratings

Senne Lammens – 5/10

Made a good save to deny Malen but once again failed to produce a moment of brilliance when United needed a spectacular stop in the first half.

Leny Yoro – 8/10

Cunha will get the limelight but Yoro produced another superb performance.

His recovery tackle before the interval prevented Roma to go 3-0 ahead.

Harry Maguire – 4/10

Foolishly gave the ball away in the build-up to the second goal, allowing the opposition to punish United.

We expect much better from a former club captain. He cannot make mistakes in every second game.

Ayden Heaven – 3/10

Forgot the basics and conceded a penalty with a needless handball. His tendency to go into challenges with his studs showing is another concern that needs addressing. A loan move could be the best way for the youngster to gain valuable experience and improve his decision-making.

Diogo Dalot – 4/10

Was often caught wandering out of position and was badly exposed for the opening goal. His contribution during the closing stages was important, but his defensive performance was simply dreadful.

Kobbie Mainoo – 7/10

Showed his quality early on, weaving past three opponents despite being surrounded. Brought much-needed composure and control to midfield on his return to the starting XI after missing four games through injury.

Carlos Baleba – 5/10

Produced a superb driving run in the 46th minute but pulled his hamstring in the process. Looked devastated as he was forced off.

Bruno Fernandes – 7/10

Blazed a good chance over the bar just before half-time. Saw his penalty saved but kept his composure to score from the retake.

Amad Diallo – 3/10

Failed to capitalise on a good opportunity after Fernandes played him into space.

Once again, his hesitation in front of goal was evident, as he lacked the confidence to pull the trigger at the right moment.

Matheus Cunha – 9/10

Played a superb pass to send Mbeumo through on goal when United were trailing 2-1. Fortune favoured him for his first goal, but there was nothing lucky about the ferocious strike that completed the comeback.

He received a yellow card for taking his shirt off during the celebration before foolishly making a clumsy challenge to earn a second booking and his marching orders.

Bryan Mbeumo – 6/10

Could not have gone any closer of scoring as he struck both posts. Made no impact in the first half.

Substitutions

Youri Tielemans – 5/10

Tried to calm the defence down but Old Trafford needed more action after the Fernandes’ goal.

Shea Lacey – 9/10

Man of the match.

Lacey skipped past his marker thrice in 16 minutes. He created opportunities including setting up Cunha for the decisive goals. He must start next game.

Lisandro Martinez – 6/10

Surprise appearance from Martinez after embarrassing performance against Chelsea.

Matthijs de Ligt – NA

Too late to rate.

Mason Mount – NA

Too late to rate.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .