13/11/2026

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

SPORTS FRIDAY | NOV 13, 2026

29

M ANCHESTER UNITED have parted ways with manager Michael Carrick, the club announced yesterday, fol lowing a dismal run of results that saw their winless Premier League campaign reach another low point with a 4-4 home draw against Aston Villa last weekend, leaving them languishing in the relegation zone. United have managed just three victories in 15 matches across all competitions under Carrick this season, with only one coming in the league. The disappointing record leaves them 18th in the standings with eight points from 10 matches, just one point above the bottom. “After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclu sion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions,” United said in a state ment on their official website. “Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025-26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the League during that period. “Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and

United end Carrick’s misery Poor start leaves Devils in 18th place as Pochettino reportedly agrees to take over at Old Trafford

January, winning 12 of his 17 remaining matches to secure a third-place finish and Champions League qualification. His side also collected more league points than any other team during that period, generat ing considerable optimism ahead of the new season. That optimism has since evaporated, with United once again facing an uphill battle to restore their standing in English football. British media reports have linked Mauricio Pochettino with the vacant managerial position, with the current United States men’s national team coach reportedly agreeing to take charge at Old Trafford. The former Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager is highly regarded for his attacking philosophy, ability to develop young players and previous success in the Premier League. United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will be hoping his arrival can restore stability and direction to a club once again engulfed in uncertainty. – Reuters/Agencies

confidently about the team’s determination to put their poor form behind them. However, there was little improvement as United were out played in a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. A thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over AS Roma in the Champions League briefly lifted the pressure on Carrick, but familiar defensive shortcomings resurfaced against Aston Villa. United conceded four goals at home and needed two late strikes to salvage a point, a result that ultimately failed to halt their downward slide. For the third consecutive season, United have now opted to change managers midway through the campaign. Unlike the departures of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, however, Carrick’s dismissal was hardly unexpected. The contrast between the team’s current struggles and the success of his previous campaign has made the situation particularly difficult to comprehend. Carrick had enjoyed an impressive return in

achievements last season will always be fondly remembered. “The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.” Carrick’s position had come under increasing scrutiny following a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, after which the former United midfielder appeared resigned to his fate as sup porters chanted his name but jeered the players off the pitch. He had earlier made the controversial deci sion to leave captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench against Bournemouth and opted not to introduce the Portuguese midfielder even as United struggled to find inspiration in the mid dle of the park. Nevertheless, the club initially gave Carrick another opportunity to turn their season around. Fernandes returned to the starting lineup against Chelsea following discussions aimed at resolving their differences, while Carrick spoke

Liverpool need to sell 10 players to win Premier League

Ű BY TOM VICTOR

4. Kostas Tsimikas Tsimikas already looked to be sur plus to requirements when he was sent out on loan. He’s now back and has been reintegrated but is unlikely to be more than a back-up. 5. Milos Kerkez Iraola brought the best out of Kerkez at Bournemouth but the Hungarian has looked like a different player at Anfield and not in a good way. It might be time for a full refresh at left back to help bring the best out of those in front. 6. Ryan Gravenberch Gravenberch has looked a far cry from the player who excelled as a six in that title-winning season. There still ought to be plenty of resale value for the Dutchman which could help fund a young and hungry replace ment who suits Iraola’s needs better. 7. Wataru Endo Endo is another who has had a tough time with injuries, though Slot didn’t seem to fancy the Japan star even when he was fit. A popular fig ure with many, but someone who could benefit from a change of scen ery.

8. James McConnell Academy graduate McConnell struggled to assert himself on loan at Ajax last term and finds himself back on Merseyside. Three years on from his Premier League debut, he looks further than ever from breaking through and earning a sustained run of appearances. 9. Federico Chiesa Chiesa has been willing to stay and fight, taking some opportunities when they have presented them selves. The summer arrivals of young sters like Munoz and Barcola left him further down the pecking order though and he could use a fresh start, perhaps back in his home country of Italy. 10. Harvey Elliott A pair of loans have gone horribly for Elliott, with his career stagnating after spells with Aston Villa and Spanish giant Valencia. The 23-year old midfielder who showed huge promise under Jurgen Klopp needs a clean break to find the right club for him. He might have to drop well down the Premier League to stay in the top flight. Express Newspapers

competitive at the top. Here are 10 players who could be on their way out. 1. Alisson Not that long ago, Liverpool would

the impending arrival of Lucca Brughmans and the develop ment of Giorgi Mamardashvili

LIVERPOOL have shown promise in the first few months of Andoni Iraola’s tenure, but they are still some way off challenging for another title. Their triumph in the 2024/25 sea son under Arne Slot feels like a dis tant memory as they go into the international break some nine points adrift of League leaders Arsenal. The drop-off in Slot’s second sea son was notable and Iraola has needed to fix some issues. Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz arrived as wide options, while Ronald Araujo has been a smart addition at the back, as has Jeremy Jacquet after the central defender was signed before the end of Slot’s tenure. The Reds also saw some high-pro file exits over the summer, most notably Mohamed Salah’s move to Trabzonspor. Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson also left for noth ing, while Curtis Jones joined Inter Milan for north of £25 million (RM135m). That should only be the start of the overhaul, though. Liverpool have been building for the future with some of their other signings but the squad remains unbalanced. If they are to return to the sum mit, though, it might be time for more wholesale changes which can fund the arrivals they need to stay

suggests the Reds are pre paring for a future without their long-time No. 1. 2. Jeremie Frimpong Frimpong was signed as someone who could help replace Trent Alexander Arnold at right back and also provide an option further forward. So far, he

have considered Alisson indispensi ble. He’s still one of the best in the busi ness but

hasn’t lived up to the task in either role, with Iraola preferring the more defensive minded Araujo on his flank. 3. Calvin Ramsay Right back Ramsay has been loaned out in the final year of his contract, spending the season at St Mirren. Injuries have hampered his progress, and he’s likely

to need to continue his career elsewhere.

Liverpool goalkeeper ALISSON

‘Dictator’ Infantino needs psychiatric help, says Blatter

FORMER Fifa boss Sepp Blatter has slammed current chief Gianni Infantino, calling his succes sor a “dictator” and suggesting he needs psychi atric help, in an interview with Der Spiegel pub lished on Wednesday. Blatter, 90, criticised Infantino’s decision to create the Fifa Peace Prize award for US President Donald Trump in the lead-up to this year’s World Cup, hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico. He was also critical of Infantino’s post-World Cup plans to sell off part of the commercial rights of the competition in the future, which was scrapped after a fierce backlash. “Fifa is suffering. It is currently led by a person who has allowed himself to be blinded,“ Blatter told the German magazine.

a crucial match at this summer’s World Cup. “The red card. That’s the worst. Statutes can be interpreted. But rules of the game must apply to everyone, you can’t interpret them.” Japanese official Kozo Tashima has announced plans to run against Infantino in his re-election bid, but Blatter named World Athletics president Sebastian Coe as his pick to take over Fifa. “It is not important who is running. What is important is that the incumbent president is no longer elected. Coe was also chairman of the Fifa Ethics Committee. “He is a strong personality. A president from the motherland of football, England, would be good.” – AFP

ders. He doesn’t understand any of this. I mean, maybe Infantino should be sent to a psychiatric ward one day.” President of Fifa from 1998, Blatter resigned in disgrace in 2015 amid corruption allegations, including accusations he had sought to buy votes for his presidency. Charges were brought against him but Blatter was eventually cleared in two trials but was banned from football by Fifa’s ethics com mittee. Blatter told the magazine he had “no regrets” from his time in charge of the organisation. The Swiss was also critical of Fifa’s decision to suspend a red card awarded to USA striker Folarin Balogun after Trump intervened ahead of

The Peace Prize, he said, was “embarrassing”. “Why would he do something like that?,” Blatter asked. “Infantino awards a peace prize to someone who wages war against Iran shortly afterwards? That’s madness.” Blatter said it was easy for Infantino to secure support for his own re-election from national football bodies. “’If you vote for me,‘ he tells the national asso ciations, ‘you will get much more money than before.’ “He is a dictator. People in Fifa tell me that no one is allowed to ride in the elevator with him. He is ‘untouchable’.” Speaking of Infantino’s World Cup sale plans, Blatter said: “Infantino no longer knows any bor