Premier League analysis: Chelsea dagger leaves Michael Carrick on the brink at Man Utd
Michael Carrick is a dead man walking after 10-man Manchester United fell to a 2-0 Premier League defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Red Devils boss has now overseen a winless run of nine games in all competitions - their longest run without a victory since 1984.
Rumours circulated all week around his future as Man Utd manager, with former Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe believed to be the United hierarchy’s number one choice.
But like Gloria Gaynor, he survived for Saturday’s early kick-off, with Bruno Fernandes brought back in from the cold after making up with Carrick.
Chelsea moved up to fourth place after the win, earned courtesy of goals from England duo Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, while Man Utd are 17th and staring relegation in the face.
Poor old Robert Bore has been there and back while supporting Man Utd for over four decades - and here, Sports News Blitz’s resident Man Utd fan looks at the latest shambolic display.
Man Utd analysis: Michael Carrick on the brink of sack after battering by Bournemouth
Getting battered by Bournemouth on home soil never ends well for a Premier League manager - and Manchester United manager Michael Carrick’s job is hanging by a thread.
The Cherries picked Carrick’s Red Devils apart at Old Trafford on Sunday, all while dropped captain Bruno Fernandes watched on from the stands grumpily.
This all leads to one outcome - it’s just a matter of time.
Carrick will no doubt be ushered towards the Old Trafford exit door, with the likes of Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann being touted by the press as potential replacements.
For now, Carrick remains in the Man Utd hot-seat, and Sports News Blitz writer Robert Bore picks through the car crash of Sunday’s shambolic display by the Red Devils.
Premier League news: Michael Carrick under pressure as Antonio Conte linked with Man Utd job
Michael Carrick is coming under increasing pressure at Manchester United as questions continue to be raised about his future at Old Trafford, writes Sports News Blitz’s Elliot Desage.
After a disappointing run of results, fans are beginning to wonder whether he is the right man to lead the club forward.
With doubts surrounding Carrick's position, Antonio Conte has been linked with a possible move to Manchester.
Man Utd analysis: Michael Carrick’s men show some fight at Leeds to make their point
Manchester United ended a turbulent week in good spirits after showing some steel in a 1-1 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday.
Michael Carrick found himself under the spotlight after Lisandro Martinez spat his dummy out in front of the media following a midweek defeat to Atletico Madrid.
But the Red Devils showed some backbone to pick up a point in West Yorkshire, where Bryan Mbeumo and Dominic Calvert-Lewin got on the scoresheet.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Man Utd fan Robert Bore analyses the game.
Man Utd analysis: Michael Carrick shaken by Martinez outburst after CL defeat
Manchester United’s season lurched to a new low on Tuesday night, when a Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid was followed by some bombshell quotes from Lisandro Martinez.
We are not sure beleaguered Man Utd boss Michael Carrick got much sleep after witnessing the 2-0 loss to the hosts, with Leny Yoro seeing red to add to the misery engulfing the club.
And neither did Sports News Blitz’s Man Utd writer Robert Bore, who gives his thoughts on the game, which sets things up nicely for a tasty clash with arch rivals Leeds United this weekend.
How Football Follows You Seven Days a Week
A football fan's contact with football rarely gets left at a game.
It’s a notification at 11am on Thursday, a clip of last week's game on the bus, a transfer deadline on Friday, and a points total that refreshes on Sunday night.
Smartphones ensure that football follows us seven days a week. We no longer need to wait for updates at specific times on television.
At any time we want, we can watch, analyse, and, most importantly, enjoy football.
EFL: Preston North End approach Bradford City for talks with Graham Alexander
Preston North End have made an approach to Bradford City seeking permission to hold talks with manager Graham Alexander, as confirmed by the Bantams.
The 54-year-old City manager enjoyed an eight-year spell at the Lancashire side, making over 350 appearances, and is recognised as a legend by fans at the Deepdale.
Preston are Sky Bet’s 10/11 favourites for relegation, and have been without a manager since parting ways with Paul Heckingbottom, who left the club in the Championship relegation zone, writes Sports News Blitz’s Charlie Gardner.
Carabao Cup: Brighton comeback sees heightened turmoil for Michael Carrick and Man Utd
Michael Carrick and Manchester United’s tumultuous start to the 2026-27 season continued after a moral-damaging 3-2 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday.
Sports News Blitz’s Marc Shaw assesses the turmoil going on at Old Trafford so far this season.
Are Manchester United's early season struggles signaling a crisis?
Manchester United's slow start has already sparked criticism from some of football's biggest pundits, but three games into the season, is the panic really justified?
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo takes a closer look at Manchester United’s start to the season and reflects on whether their early struggles really deserve the level of criticism they have received.
Premier League analysis: Man Utd draw no comfort from point gained on Merseyside
After three Premier League games of the 2026/27 campaign, Manchester United are 11th in the table - won one, drawn one, lost one.
It’s not the start Michael Carrick would have been hoping for - and he’s not alone, Sports News Blitz’s Man Utd expert Robert Bore is tearing his hair out (well, he would if he had any).
Here is his take on Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Everton on Merseyside.
Premier League opinion: Hull City did their homework, Man United had no response
Any hope Manchester United fans had built up in pre-season went up in smoke in their opening game of the 2026/27 Premier League, which they lost 2-0 away to newly-promoted Hull City.
The Tigers had more bite than a toothless Man Utd attack, leaving manager Michael Carrick with plenty to ponder before they welcome Ipswich Town to Old Trafford on August 30.
Sports News Blitz writer and Man Utd fan Robert Bore picks through the debris of the shock defeat for the Red Devils.
Hidden Engine of Elite Football: Inside Youth Academy Success and Financial Realities
Youth football academies serve as the ultimate proving ground for the world’s next generation of superstars.
Every year, thousands of kids step onto pristine grass pitches, dreaming of walking out into packed stadiums in the Premier League or Champions League.
However, behind the glamour of professional debuts lies a complex ecosystem built on massive financial investments, grueling schedules, and relentless competition.
Inverted and overlapping full-backs betting value in the Premier League
A team’s attack can look completely different depending on the full-back’s role, writes Sports News Blitz’s Joseph Kan’gethe.
Tucking inside changes the numbers around midfield, while overlapping gives the attack another route down the flank.
For bettors, understanding that difference matters when analyzing markets such as corners, team goals, player shots and assists.
An inverted full-back gives the team another passing option in midfield and can leave the winger with more room on the flank.
An overlapping full-back can stretch the opposition and give the team another route to the final third.
Premier League analysis: Is David Moyes’ time at Everton running out?
David Moyes’ Everton side go into the 2026-27 season after finishing in a mediocre 13th place, picking up just one win in their final eight games.
Is this a sign of things to come for the Toffees?
Sports News Blitz writer Dylan Grady looks ahead to the potential season for Everton and what life could look like with under-pressure manager David Moyes.
Manchester United missing out on Mateus Fernandes is a bigger warning sign than it looks
Manchester United’s failure to land Mateus Fernandes has sparked frustration among supporters who feel the club is repeating old mistakes.
Tottenham Hotspur have stepped in and agreed a deal, leaving United once again empty-handed in a key midfield chase.
The situation has quickly become about more than one transfer. It is now being seen as a wider reflection of how the club is being run.
Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo delves into why this particular miss could carry more weight than it first appears.
From Portugal to Belgium: Spain World Cup Odds in the Quarter-finals
The World Cup quarter-finals are rarely one-dimensional, and Spain vs Belgium is no different.
Spain has seen its way to the quarters through discipline and, more recently, a certain amount of luck, while Belgium has found its attacking edge at just the right time.
It's these contrasting themes that make this particular tie so compelling, as one of the most disciplined teams in the world meets an opponent seemingly primed to strike when the game opens up.
How World Cup football has changed: Then vs now
Football's greatest tournament has come a long way since Uruguay lifted the first World Cup trophy in 1930.
The competition has grown from 13 nations to 48, the way the game is played has been transformed tactically, and even how fans engage, from football betting markets optimised for mobile users to live data feeds on their phones, has shifted beyond recognition.
World Cup 2026 analysis: Looking at England’s magnificent Mexico win and five of England’s most iconic World Cup victories
Thomas Tuchel’s England reached new heights as they beat Mexico 3-2 on Monday to set up a quarter-final tie against Norway.
Despite being the far better team on paper, many had suggested England would struggle to win against a Mexico side co-hosting the World Cup and playing in their iconic Azteca Stadium, with its extreme conditions and unrelenting atmosphere.
Jude Bellingham put England 2-0 up after a brace in two minutes, but Julian Quinones pulled one back before half-time to give the Mexicans hope.
Despite Jarell Quansah’s red card, when Harry Kane scored a penalty in the second half to make it 3-1 England looked safe, until Raul Jimenez converted from the penalty spot.
Soccer opinion: What's next for West Ham? Ownership changes, transfers and more
Following the disastrous season of 2025/26, which saw West Ham get relegated in 18th place, lasting change is desperately needed.
Relegation from the Premier League means the Hammers will play in the EFL Championship next season, for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
The relegation came as a huge disappointment, especially as West Ham had won the UEFA Conference League only three years ago.
Sports News Blitz writer and West Ham fan Jack George dissects what the future holds for West Ham United.
Soccer analysis: Japan’s World Cup dream - Why the Samurai Blue are the ultimate dark horses
For decades, Japan have been viewed as an emerging football nation: competitive, technically gifted and tidy on the ball.
But they have also been perceived as ultimately lacking the physical power, ego mindset and conviction to truly challenge the traditional powers.
However, heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Samurai Blue may be closer than ever to breaking that narrative, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shuei Ishii.