Michael Carrick is on the verge of dismissal after Manchester United suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Alexander Isak continued his scoring streak in Liverpool's match against Brighton, which ended 2-0 on Sunday.
Carrick's decision to drop captain Bruno Fernandes proved unsuccessful, as the loss extended United's winless streak to eight matches and dropped the team to 16th place in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.
For the fourth consecutive season, Bournemouth secured a three-goal victory at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Ryan, Marcus Tavernier, and Evanilson, ensuring a deserved win for Marco Rose's side.
Fernandes had previously criticized Carrick's tactics during the Champions League match against Como, which ended in a 4-1 thrashing on Wednesday. The United manager explained his decision not to play the player, who was last season's Premier League best player, by stating it was 'purely football-related,' but it was hard to believe that Fernandes faced no repercussions since he was left on the bench for the entire match.
Bournemouth fans mocked Carrick with chants of 'you'll be fired in the morning.' However, based on this data, firing another manager is far from an easy decision for a club that has sharply lost its former glory since Alex Ferguson retired after winning the last English title 13 years ago.
After United's winless streak reached eight matches across all competitions, Carrick stated: 'It's a difficult situation. What next? I don't know.' He added: 'I will always do what is best for this football club. I have said this always, I am not changing it now. I like what I do. I like the responsibility, but we will have to wait and see.'
A strong finish to last season under Carrick's interim management allowed the team to finish third in the Premier League. Nevertheless, in the current season, having only won one match against promoted Ipswich, United has earned only seven points in eight league games—the lowest figure at this stage of the season since 1986-87.
Several disappointed fans remaining at Old Trafford booed United players after their toughest home defeat since 2024. United co-owners, the Glazer family, and Jim Ratcliffe also became targets of angry shouts, although Carrick largely avoided fan anger.
It is unlikely that words of sympathy will save the former United midfielder from dismissal.
At Anfield, Liverpool scored twice in the first half: first an own goal by Pascal Groß, and then a goal by Isak. Isak has scored six goals in seven league matches this season and has three goals in the last four games.
The Swedish forward, who is finally starting to justify his £125 million (US$167 million) fee after a fiery debut season following his intense transfer from Newcastle, is providing a pleasant first taste of success in the top division at Anfield for Reds manager Andy Iraola, who failed to win his first three Premier League matches on Merseyside since arriving from Bournemouth in the off-season.
The Spaniard, who has won Champions League and League Cup matches at Anfield, led Liverpool to four consecutive victories in all competitions since the humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City. Liverpool climbed to fourth place, just one point behind third-placed Brighton after inflicting the second defeat on the 'Sails' this season.
William Osula and Harvey Barnes scored in the second half while Newcastle pressured Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage at Selhurst Park with a 2-0 scoreline. Palace, who arrived from Lens in the off-season to replace Oliver Glasner, has won only two out of eight league games, sitting in 17th place after a 5-0 thrashing by Brighton last week.
Hull has gone seven matches without a win following a 1-1 draw with Brentford at MKM Stadium. Oli McBurnie's penalty in the 24th minute, awarded after a foul by Aaron Hickey on Tim Iregbunam, put Hull ahead, but Dango Uwattara equalized in the 63rd minute. Sunderland remains at the bottom of the table after a 0-0 draw with Leeds at the Stadium of Light.
