Manchester United

Michael Carrick has encouraged his side to “live in the moment” after moving up to third in the Premier League table. Carrick continues to be lauded for his side’s excellent form, but insists that catching Arsenal is not the immediate focus for his reinvigorated team. “Listen, you can’t rule anything out in football, but we’ve got to be realistic,” he said. “We’ve just got to try and keep winning games and see. Above us now there are two fantastic teams and there are some really good teams in and around us. “We’ve had a good run but we’re certainly not getting carried away. “You’ve got to be patient but you’ve also got to live in the moment a little bit. “Wherever that’s going to take us, we’ll just have to see. But we’ll keep pushing anyway.” Sunday’s comeback victory over Crystal Palace means United have picked up 19 points from a possible 21 in the league under Carrick. The former midfielder has urged his side to remain “grounded”. “I’m always learning things as you go through and [things] you could have done a little bit better,” he said. “There is a lot of context, with different players and what the games look like. “It’s not so much guarding against it, it’s living in the moment, keeping grounded and understanding what it takes to win games. “We won’t get carried away. You have to feed off the confidence and understand that runs of wins are hard to come by. We’re hungry for more and want it for as long as it will last.” Manchester United return to domestic action against Newcastle United on Wednesday evening, before hosting Aston Villa at Old Trafford this weekend.

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick is focused on keeping the “momentum” after their positive upturn in form since his arrival. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s match against Crystal Palace, the manager highlighted the importance of squad rotation amidst a busy schedule. “When there are a lot more games, we have rotation or have to change things physically. There are huge positives with the results we’ve had, playing well and winning games, but a big awareness from me and the staff is how important everyone is in the group. Even though it’s the same players, game-to-game we have tweaked things, some of the front players have changed in different positions, Luke [Shaw] has played in a different role in possession, but there is a feeling of trying to keep the momentum.” Carrick has remained unbeaten in his opening six matches since taking over from Ruben Amorim, including seismic victories over Man City and Arsenal. The lack of European football has allowed Carrick’s side to be “laser focused” on their domestic push. “It’s certainly where we want to be [Champions League]. I think you’ve got to earn that you’ve got to show you’re good enough. At the moment, we are laser-focused on what is ahead for us. There is no point in looking elsewhere. We know where we want to be, we know what we need to do to get there and the performance level and the games that are coming up, we want to try and get the right results.” Carrick pointed towards the positive impact of Harry Maguire, who has made 14 appearances so far this season. The Englishman played all 90 minutes of Monday’s narrow victory over Everton. “Harry is an impressive character. He’s had a great career so far; hopefully, there is a lot more to come. He’s been here on the journey, and the experiences he’s had show exactly what he is. We know the player he is and what he is capable of doing. He was fantastic the other night [against Everton] – his experience, attributes and character help. He’s willing to put himself out there. He’s been really important for us.” “There is a case, as your career goes, when you’re a young player, and everything is fresh and new, you’re fearless, and there aren’t many scars there. You get to your peak years, and you feel good, and everything is there, but you’ve had a few ups and downs. As you get towards the later times, the experience should make you a better player. We’ve seen that with Harry’s performances of late.” Monday’s goalscorer, Benjamin Sesko, has recorded three goals since Carrick’s introduction, including 90th-minute strikes against Fulham and West Ham. Despite the Slovenian’s impact, Carrick is yet to start the striker, but insists there is “no drama” in his exclusion. “The whole thing is a real positive. It’s certainly not a decision that is one I look at in a negative way. We’re playing well as a team, we’re not getting carried away and thinking that it carries on. The forwards have scored a good number of goals. Ben has been so good in so many ways. It’s really not a drama. It just shows the quality Ben has got. If he starts the next game or the one after, it is what it is, but he’s doing so many good things.”

Manchester United are close to appointing Michael Carrick as caretaker boss, with former England assistant Steve Holland set to join as his number two. Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion are also set to join Carrick’s staff. Carrick takes over from Ruben Amorim, who was sacked on January 5th, one day after drawing 1-1 with Leeds at Elland Road. The former United midfielder had a brief stint at the Old Trafford helm in 2021, managing three games after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal. A baptism of fire would await the 44-year-old, with United hosting city rivals Manchester City on Saturday afternoon, before travelling to the Emirates eight days later.

Burnley 2-2 Manchester United Heaven (13′ og) Anthony (66′)  Sesko (50′, 60′) A stunning Jaidon Anthony strike secured struggling Burnley a point against Manchester United, who had momentarily taken the lead through a Benjamin Sesko double. The visitors created numerous chances in the first period, but Burnley took the lead with a stroke of luck. Bashir Humphreys escaped from Casemiro down the Burnley left. After aiming his left-footed cross towards the penalty box, the ball took a massive deflection off United youngster Ayden Heaven. The defender’s meek effort to block the cross looped over the helpless Senne Lammens and into his own net. Despite the setback, Fletcher’s side improved and had the ball in the net on the half-hour mark. Lisandro Martinez fired past Martin Dubravka in a busy penalty box, but was adjudged to have handled Kyle Walker in the penalty box, pushing the former Man City defender to the ground. Brilliant Burnley defending kept the hosts’ slender lead at the break, with Bashir Humphreys and Maxime Esteve desperately clearing two efforts off the line. The latter was United’s best chance of the half, Bruno Fernandes released Patrick Dorgu into the Burnley box, but after chipping over the onrushing Martin Dubravka, Esteve delivered a vital clearance. Fletcher’s halftime words created an immediate impact, as they levelled in the 50th minute. Fernandes picked up a dangerous pocket on the right edge of the Burnley box. The Portuguese midfielder showed tremendous vision to roll Sesko through on goal, whose right-footed strike rippled Dubravka’s bottom corner, delighting the large travelling support. The Slovenian added his second of the game on the hour mark. He showed confidence to side-foot Dorgu’s pinpoint cross from the left past Dubravka from 12 yards. The goal was a moment of great quality, from the accuracy of the ball to the crispness of Sesko’s volley. Despite turning the game in their favour, United were made to pay for more dismal defending. Substitute Anthony easily moved away from Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez in the box, before unleashing a darting left-footed strike into the top corner. The draw leaves Burnley eight points from safety, whilst Fletcher’s United side remain in sixth. Burnley: Dubravka, Laurent, Esteve, Humphreys, Walker, Ugochukwu, Florentino, Pires, Edwards (Sonne 92′) Mejbri (Anthony 58′) Broja (Foster 76′) Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Heaven (Yoro 61′) Martínez, Shaw, Ugarte (Lacey 84′) Casemiro (Mainoo 74′) Cunha (Zirkzee 74′) Fernandes (Mount 61′) Dorgu, Sesko