Overview
- Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle was Michael Carrick’s first loss as interim head coach after an unbeaten start.
- Players have told reporters they feel they let Carrick down and cite long gaps between matches as a factor in slow starts, with the schedule lighter due to no Europe and early cup exits.
- Paul Scholes said his Instagram remark about United being poor over four games was not meant as a dig, and he messaged Carrick who told him he was not offended.
- INEOS are reported to be assessing external candidates, with names such as Roberto De Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique discussed, and some reporting suggests Carrick is not the current front-runner.
- United remain in a strong top-four position, with Aston Villa visiting on March 15 after another extended break in fixtures.