Carrick faces Manchester United axe after Bournemouth rout as Liverpool beat Brighton

Michael Carrick’s position as Manchester United manager is under serious threat after his side’s winless run reached eight matches with a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday.

The result left United 16th in the Premier League, only one point above the relegation zone. It followed Carrick’s decision to leave captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench, after Fernandes had criticised the manager’s tactics during Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como.

Carrick said Fernandes’ omission was “purely football” related, but the midfielder remained unused throughout the match. Bournemouth supporters directed chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at the United manager.

Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson scored as Marco Rose’s Bournemouth secured a fully deserved victory. It was the Cherries’ third three-goal win at Old Trafford in four seasons.

United’s players were booed off by the supporters who remained at the stadium, as the club suffered their heaviest home defeat since 2024. Angry chants were also aimed at co-owners the Glazer family and Jim Ratcliffe, although Carrick received less direct criticism from the home crowd.

Carrick guided United to third place in the Premier League after a strong finish during his interim spell in charge last season. However, they have won only once in eight league games this campaign, against promoted Ipswich, and their seven-point total is their lowest at this stage of a season since 1986-87.

“It’s a tough situation. What is next? I don’t know,” Carrick said.

“I’ll always do what’s best for this football club. I’ve said it all along, I don’t change that now.

“I love what I do. I love the responsibility, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

The defeat intensified pressure on Carrick, although removing another manager would not provide an immediate solution to a club that has declined sharply since Alex Ferguson retired after winning their most recent English title 13 years ago.

Isak helps Liverpool continue revival

Liverpool moved up to fourth place with a 2-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield, reducing the gap to third-placed Brighton to one point after inflicting their opponents’ second league defeat of the season.

Pascal Gross put the ball into his own net before Alexander Isak scored his sixth league goal in seven matches. The Sweden striker has also found the net three times in his past four games, having endured a difficult first season after his acrimonious move from Newcastle.

His latest goal offered a sign of progress towards justifying Liverpool’s £125 million ($167 million) fee for him.

The win was Andoni Iraola’s first top-flight success at Anfield as Liverpool boss. He had failed to win any of his first three league matches there since moving from Bournemouth in the close season, although he had already won Champions League and League Cup matches at the ground.

Liverpool have now recorded four successive victories in all competitions since their chastening 3-0 home defeat by Manchester City.

Elsewhere, William Osula and Harvey Barnes scored after half-time as Newcastle beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park, increasing the pressure on Palace manager Pierre Sage. Palace, 17th, have won only twice in eight league matches under Sage, who joined from Lens in the close season to replace Oliver Glasner.

Hull’s winless run extended to seven games after a 1-1 draw with Brentford at the MKM Stadium. Oli McBurnie’s 24th-minute penalty, awarded after Aaron Hickey fouled Tim Iroegbunam, gave Hull the lead before Dango Ouattara equalised in the 63rd minute.

Sunderland remain bottom after being held to a goalless draw by Leeds at the Stadium of Light.