Michael Carrick’s Manchester United future rests on Aston Villa clash

Michael Carrick takes Manchester United into Sunday’s meeting with Aston Villa knowing another poor result could cost him his job, despite the dramatic Champions League victory over Roma that briefly eased the pressure.

United came from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford on Tuesday, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice late on. The result ended a run of nine matches without a win, the club’s longest such sequence since the 1988/89 season.

Defender Diogo Dalot believes the comeback can provide a platform for improvement.

“Nights like this can change momentum, can change seasons, and I think this win is going to give us confidence for the next games,” he said.

However, United could be bottom of the Premier League by the time they face Aston Villa if other results go against them. Whatever happens, the international break will give the club’s hierarchy time to assess Carrick’s position and consider its longer-term options.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has previously been linked with the Old Trafford job, although reports suggest he is close to agreeing a new contract with the Birmingham club.

City aiming to stay with Arsenal

Manchester City will attempt to avoid a third consecutive Premier League defeat when they travel to Nottingham Forest, as they look to maintain contact with leaders Arsenal.

Even matching Arsenal’s results may not be enough for City in the longer term. The club is still awaiting its punishment after being found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules, with a substantial points deduction among the possible sanctions.

Arsenal have emerged as the only other leading title contender and have continued to collect victories even when below their best. They host struggling Hull this weekend and have won 18 of their past 19 Premier League matches against promoted opponents.

City’s trip to Nottingham Forest may be less straightforward than it appears. Opta’s expected-points table, which ranks teams according to expected goals for and against, places Oliver Glasner’s side third 16 positions above their actual league placing.

Tottenham’s revival continues

Tottenham’s difficult start has given way to a more positive outlook after Roberto De Zerbi’s side recorded three successive Premier League wins.

Spurs had been bottom of the division without a victory less than three weeks ago, but have since moved into a comfortable mid-table position. They are now four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Defender Archie Gray said the unity within the squad had been central to the improvement.

“We all get on really well and you can see that out there on the pitch,” he told SpursPlay. “Even with the celebrations, all the subs are running to the players, and they are little things that mean so much to us. That’s the most important thing and why we’ve been improving.”

Elsewhere, Daniel Farke’s Leeds have failed to win in their past five Premier League games. They have scored only twice during that spell and have dropped to 12th in the table.