29/04/2026

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | APR 29, 2026

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Lingard agrees with Rooney on next Man Utd boss MICHAEL CARRICK has had several former teammates endorse him for the permanent Manchester United job this summer. With just four games remaining in the 2025/26 season, Michael Carrick is within touching distance of Champions League qualification. Since taking over from Ruben Amorim and Darren Fletcher, Carrick has strung together an impressive run of results that have put him in pole position for a permanent appointment. According to Transfermarkt , Jesse Lingard played 55 matches alongside Carrick at United before also playing under him as a coach. Lingard, now at Brazilian club Corinthians, spoke to BBC Sport and rallied behind Carrick for the head coach role. When asked if Carrick should get the job, Lingard replied: “Yeah, I think so. He’s got the Man United DNA inside of him. He knows the ins and outs of the club, and they’re on the right track at the moment. “The lads have taken to him really well. They’re winning a lot of games, probably get Champions League this season which is amazing. So yeah, I think so, 100%.” After Carrick’s United beat Manchester City 2-0 back in January, Rooney immediately pointed out that the “DNA” of the team was evident under Carrick. As quoted by Football365 , Rooney said: “You hear everyone, especially us as ex-players, talk about the United DNA and that has just shown what it is. Work rate off the ball, wingers getting back, filling in and helping out the full-backs. “And the goals – crosses in the box and desire to get on the end of it. The first goal, counter-attack, sitting in and breaking fast – that is the United DNA, and that was what we’ve been missing. And hopefully this continues. “The work rate, the shape, the organisation of Manchester United today, the desire to get back and double up and help your teammates out and tackle and run without the ball, as quickly backwards

Carragher backs Carrick to take Old Trafford helm

Ű BY FLO CLIFFORD

other team in the same period of time. The former United midfielder took over with the club sixth in the top flight and in danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League. Harry Maguire also paid tribute to the interim manager, saying: “We had two tough fixtures when Carrick came in against Arsenal and Man City but we managed to get six points. “Everyone’s believed in it, and we’ve gathered together. We’ve got the confidence. We know that we can score goals from anywhere. “I think we can still get a lot better at this forma tion as well. The results speak for themselves, since the manager has come in, and the formation has changed, we just seemed to pick up results. “The games under Ruben Amorim which were 50-50 we’d always end up with a defeat, now it’s the other way around. We’re a lot better in both boxes.” – The Independent

“They have put (together) a run of results of a title winner, although they haven’t got European football to contend with. “I don’t think anyone could have come in and done better results-wise. Performances haven’t been great but it’s not a great Man Utd team and he’s still getting big results. “The biggest criticism of Ruben Amorin was that he never adapted, Carrick has shown he can adapt.” The result means United stay in third, 11 points clear of sixth-placed Brighton and inching closer to sealing a spot at Europe’s top table. The Red Devils require just two more points from their remaining four games, while if either Brighton or Bournemouth fail to win this weekend, they would be mathematically out of reach. United have won nine of their 13 top-flight games since Carrick took over from the ousted Amorim in January, picking up more points than any

JAMIE CARRAGHER has said there is “no doubt” Michael Carrick will be appointed permanent Manchester United manager after overseeing a com plete turnaround in the club’s fortunes in interim charge. Carrick presided over an important Premier League win over Brentford yester, with the 2-1 win taking them to the brink of securing Champions League football next season after a year out of Europe. Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko scored while Mathias Jensen pulled a consolation goal back to set up a nervy finish, which United rode out to seal all three points. “He’s going to be Manchester United manager next season, no doubt about it. You can’t say he doesn’t deserve it,” Carragher said on Sky Sports .

Back in the big league Past and present greats combine to edge Devils closer to Champions League place S O the legacy a serial Champions League winner leaves at Manchester United looks like including Champions League football. For a man who conquered Europe as a United player, meanwhile, it looks like a passport to stay in the dugout and compete with the continent’s finest. United only need a maximum of two points to secure the top-five finish that, after a year of exile from Europe, will send them back in at the top level. As Michael Carrick has rescued a season in remarkable fashion, it appears ever likelier the 2008 Champions League winner will be in charge then. But as Casemiro signs off, it can be in the knowl The decision-makers in the directors’ box have got many a choice wrong but they can reflect with satisfaction on a couple that have paid off. Picking Carrick has paid off; his 13 games at the helm have now produced 29 points. And buying Lammens, who seemed a cheap afterthought last summer, has come to look inspired. The £18 million (RM93m) goalkeeper produced a trio of terrific first-half saves to preserve the advantage Casemiro gave them. Ű BY RICHARD JOLLY & IAN PARKER

receiving medical treatment. The Croatian federation said national medical staff remained in contact with Modric, who captains the side, as well as his club. “I’ve been talking to Luka, and wished him a successful surgery and a quality and speedy recovery,” Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic said in a statement. “I am convinced that he will do everything to be ready for the World Cup, and we’ll provide full support. I am confident that the recovery will go according to plan and that Luka, as team captain, will lead us at another major competition this summer.” The World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, starts on June 11, and Croatia will face England, Ghana and Panama in Group L. Goalkeeper sorry for brawl REAL ZARAGOZA goalkeeper Esteban Andrada punched an opponent in the face after he was shown a red card, and now faces severe disciplinary consequences. edge a Real Madrid great has restored United to what both he and they would regard as their rightful destination. “The Champions League is not something we should be over-cele brating,” said Carrick, aware United’s ambitions used to stretch far beyond simply qualifying for it. Which they should do. They are now 11 points clear of sixth place Brighton after Brentford were beaten in part by Casemiro. Benjamin Sesko added to his 11th-minute opener but this was a victory forged by Carrick and Casemiro, aided and abetted by Senne Lammens, Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire. That blend of the returning and the departing, the new and the old has worked well in 2026. Carrick has found a f o r - mula.

Tempers flared during his side’s clash with Huesca on Sunday when the shot-stopper saw red, but clearly still seething, he sought out opposition captain Jorge Pulido and struck him with his right hand, triggering a mass brawl. The Zaragoza custodian has been swift to accept responsibility for his behaviour and acknowledged he will face whatever punishment comes his way, with the league’s authorities and his club both expected to take action against him. Andrada, 35, is on loan at Zaragoza from Mexican outfit Monterrey. He said: “The truth is I’m very, very sorry for what happened. “It’s not a good image for the club, for the fans, and especially not for a professional like myself. So, I’m very sorry. “Throughout my career, I’ve only had one red card, and that was for a handball outside the penalty area. I also want to apologise to Pulido because we are colleagues, and honestly, it was my fault, I lost focus at that moment, and well, I am here for whatever consequences the league may give me.” He is now only one off the record shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne after Fernandes carried the ball into the Brentford box, picked out Sesko and he found the back of the net. Carrick believes Fernandes should be in the mix for the Premier League player of the year award. Asked if Fernandes should get individual recog nition at the end of the season, Carrick said: “Hopefully he does. He deserves it for the impact he has had and the moments he’s created.” – The Independent The chorus from the Stretford End was “one more year, Casemiro”. They won’t get their wish. “It is pretty clear, from both sides,” said Carrick. “The situation has probably helped that, know ing there is nothing to hide. It’s football, players come and go. You’ve got to evolve and move on. That’s the world we’re in, but he’s given everything and it’s nice he’s got that connection with the fans. “Cas has had an influence within the group, he has got huge experience, he’s a big player and has achieved a huge amount in the game, and he has given everything you can possible give.” Meanwhile, Fernandes showed his creativity; after Maguire’s header was saved and Amad Diallo had a goal chalked off, and was rewarded with a 19th Premier League assist of the season.

and you do forwards. I think that was really evident today.” Clearly, both Lingard and Rooney

believe Carrick has brought back some of United’s traditional values, which is enough to earn him the permanent job. – Agencies

Man United manager Michael Carrick (left) and Casemiro celebrate yesterday’s win over Brentford in the Premier League. – REUTERSPIC

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notching five goals and two assists in four appearances. His goal for Les Bleus in their 2-1 friendly win against Brazil in March took him to 56 in 95 appearances, one short of Olivier Giroud’s all time record. France are considered one of the main contenders to win the tournament, but losing Mbappe for any matches would be a major blow. Modric undergoes surgery LUKA MODRIC has undergone successful surgery after fracturing his left cheekbone, the Croatian Football Federation said yesterday, weeks before the 40-year-old AC Milan midfielder is due to participate in his fifth World Cup. Modric sustained the injury following a clash of heads with Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli during Sunday’s 0-0 Serie A draw at the San Siro. He left the field with 10 minutes left. Although clearly in pain, Modric remained on the bench until the end of the game without

Mbappe faces anxious wait REAL MADRID have confirmed Kylian Mbappe sustained a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 1-1 La Liga draw at Real Betis with the France forward facing an anxious wait with his World Cup participation perhaps in doubt. Mbappe was withdrawn in the 81st minute and had tests on Monday, but Real have not revealed the extent of the damage or how long the France striker is expected to be sidelined for. A club statement read: “Following the tests carried out (on Monday) on our player Kylian Mbappe by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. Awaiting progress.” Real Madrid are due to travel to the Nou Camp on May 10, giving Mbappe less than two weeks to recover for that match. The 27-year-old has also delivered for France during World Cup qualification this season,