Overview
- Manchester United were beaten 2-1 at Newcastle, their first defeat under interim manager Michael Carrick, despite the hosts going down to 10 men before half-time.
- Players believe they have let Carrick down and say long gaps between fixtures are hurting their starts, according to an unnamed dressing-room source reported by The Sun and cited elsewhere.
- Carrick voiced frustration after the match, calling the performance disappointing and saying the team must learn and improve.
- An unusually light schedule—no European football and early exits from both domestic cups—has created extended breaks, with United not playing again until March 15 before another lengthy pause in mid-April.
- INEOS are looking at alternative candidates for the role on a full-time basis, and journalist Ben Jacobs said Carrick should not be considered the front-runner as the top-four race tightens.