Richard Martin

Bruno Fernandes has claimed he knew Michael Carrick would make a great manager after first working with him four years ago when he was Manchester United's interim boss. Fernandes struck as United beat Spurs 2-0 on Saturday to earn a fourth win in four matches under Carrick since he succeeded Ruben Amorim in the Old Trafford dugout until the end of the season.

Lads, it's still Tottenham! Manchester United had failed to beat Spurs in their last seven games but earned a 2-0 victory to stay in control of fourth spot in the Premier League and make it four wins in a row under Michael Carrick. The win was helped by a first-half red card for Cristian Romero and, unlike against Everton three months ago, they made the extra man count.

Manchester United have been told to go and sign Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid to get back towards being a proper football team. Bellingham is having a difficult third season at the Bernabeu, receiving criticism for inconsistent performances under Xabi Alonso and successor Alvaro Arbeloa. And a former Red Devils defender believes they should try and bring him to Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney has claimed he was involved in the best ever goal in Premier League history - although it was not one he scored personally. Rooney scored 208 goals in his 16 seasons in England's top flight for Manchester United and Everton but he believes the greatest strike ever was one by one of his Red Devils team-mates - which he helped set up with his finest ever pass.

Pep Guardiola has pledged to keep on speaking out on injustices after his recent passionate speech about wars provoked criticism in some quarters. The Manchester City boss reiterated that he condemns all conflicts across the globe and respected all opinions but he said it was vitally important to keep speaking out because the world wants people to stay silent.

Casemiro is among the many Manchester United players whose performances have markedly improved under new head coach Michael Carrick and the Brazilian has shown his gratitude to the former Red Devils midfielder. Casemiro was already a first-team regular when Ruben Amorim was sacked in January although he had to fight to win his place back in the Portuguese's plans after falling down the pecking order.

Michael Carrick is getting the bulk of plaudits for Manchester United’s resurgence since he took charge, but there is another undeniable factor to consider when analysing the uplift in performances and results at Old Trafford. Lisandro Martinez admittedly made his long-awaited first appearance after 301 days out through injury while Ruben Amorim was still in charge, but the true impact of his return is only being felt now.

Manchester City ran riot against Newcastle to rubber-stamp their place in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal. Pep Guardiola again rang the changes but still watched his side ease to a 3-1 win on the night to complete a 5-1 drubbing on aggregate over last year's winners. Omar Marmoush scored two quick-fire goals while Tijjani Reijnders added another in a clinical first-half display from the hosts.

Alejandro Garnacho has taken a subtle pot shot at former club Manchester United ahead of Chelsea's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Arsenal. Chelsea trail the Gunners 3-2 in the tie but Garnacho believes his side can turn it around at the Emirates Stadium, pointing to how the Red Devils pulled off a surprise victory over Mikel Arteta's men last month.

Casemiro said he had "many more memories to create" when announcing that he was leaving Manchester United at the end of the season, and he has certainly delivered on that promise thus far. In the two games since his departure was confirmed in January, he has played his part in a tantalising 3-2 win at Arsenal before leading from the front in the equally dramatic 3-2 victory over Fulham.

With Arsenal steaming ahead in the Premier League title race from the off while Manchester City stumbled, the one thing Pep Guardiola's side could cling on to was their capacity for a strong finish. City have a remarkable history of reeling in their title rivals in when it matters most by going on what became their trademark relentless runs. But one month into 2026, there is little evidence of that happening this time around.

The last time Bruno Fernandes faced Fulham the whole football world was laughing at him. The Manchester United captain skied his penalty in the 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in August and partly blamed the miss on referee Chris Kavanagh bumping into him. He explained: "As a penalty-taker, you have your own routines. It upset me because the referee didn't apologise."

Michael Carrick used to look up to Roy Keane. When he was a youth teamer at West Ham, Carrick would analyse the way the Manchester United captain walked out of the dressing room at Upton Park. The first time he faced Keane on the pitch, Carrick watched him ‘clatter’ his team-mate Joe Cole. And yet he was never intimidated by him. And maybe that is why Keane is waging a war of words with United's interim boss.

Erling Haaland remembered what it was like to score a non-penalty as Manchester City overcame Galatasaray 2-0 to make it into the last 16 of the Champions League, albeit only by a hair's breath. Haaland missed a clear chance but soon made amends by netting with an ice-cool dink in the first half, scoring for the first time in 10 matches from open play.

Pep Guardiola apologised to Farai Hallam for his pointed remarks at the official on the weekend but insisted he was justified in pointing out the many instances in which big refereeing decisions have gone against Manchester City. Hallam opted against giving City a penalty for handball in Saturday's match with Wolves despite being asked to review the play by VAR.

Pep Guardiola has sarcastically claimed that he will not talk to Erling Haaland about the Manchester City striker's drop in form because he hasn't spoken to any of his players for three years. Haaland has not scored a goal in open play for nine matches and City need him to rediscover his usual striking prowess in their must-win Champions League fixture against Galatasaray on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola has a long history of memorable press conference outbursts but the Manchester City coach remains very hard to predict. After a defeat or disappointing draw, the Catalan often deflates the situation by keeping his cool in front of the media. And yet he has a habit of unleashing fury after a routine win - which is precisely what happened after City's victory over Wolves on Saturday.

Asked what was going through his head when he picked the ball up before snatching victory for Manchester United at Arsenal, Matheus Cunha didn't beat around the bush: "I think 'I need to score'." Cunha had received the ball with his back to goal, more than 30 yards out and against the best defence and goalkeeper in the Premier League. But he had only one thing on his mind.