David James
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

What I'm interested in is the response Manchester United have after the Newcastle game. His face looked like thunder on that sideline before the final whistle went.

It is how he responds in the bigger picture on whether he takes over as the permanent manager.

If he gets a good response out the side today and gets three points today, then I think he is giving himself every chance to take that job on a permanent basis.

Darren Fletcher
Premier League Kick-Off presenter

Apart from that 2-2 draw at Manchester City, Nottingham Forest have lost four out of five. But people seem less concerned now in Nottingham than they were when Sean Dyche was the manager.

We are talking about this bounce that Igor Tudor has not given Tottenham. The reality is Vitor Pereira has not given Forest a bounce either.

Image source, Getty Images

Dex: They have no choice but to give him the job now. If another manager comes in and has a poor run, how long before Carrick’s mentioned? That’s some pressure for a new guy coming in.

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

We sit on the mythical 40-point mark. We are four points off Brentford in seventh, which is widely believed to be enough for the Europa Conference League.

But after games against relegation-battling duo of Nottingham Forest and Burnley this month, five of our final seven games are against teams above us in the top half of the table. It feels like a tough task.

All of which leads me to wonder if this really is the end of Marco Silva's time at the club. He will not want to out-stay his welcome and taint his incredible five-year stay, during which he took us from yo-yo club to top-half challengers.

And with murmurings of discontent after our cup exit, that possibility feels more concrete that it did a few weeks ago.

It could lead to an era-shifting summer. Let's hope we don't self-sabotage if it is.

Nigel Reo-Coker
Former Aston Villa midfielder on Premier League Kick-Off

I think Leeds will stay up. Their remaining home games are going to be massive for them but I feel I've seen enough from them this season for them to get the results they need.

Image source, Getty Images

Lucy Ward
Former Leeds striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Probably in terms of the injuries causing a significant load on the Aston Villa players that have to play, which then leads to more injuries, maybe Unai Emery could have tweaked it more. The bottom line is this guy will probably go and win the Europa League – he is an expert at it. He would turn water into wine.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at Old Trafford

The weather wasn't too bad when I arrived at Old Trafford just over an hour ago.

Now it is terrible.

Grey skies, heavy rain, wind blowing.

Awful.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

I hope they've fixed that leaky roof.

It is LASHING IT DOWN at Old Trafford.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at Old Trafford

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United have had an 11-day gap since their defeat at Newcastle.

This followed on from a 13-day break between the draw at West Ham and win at Everton next month.

Following next Friday’s trip to Bournemouth, they don’t play again until the home match with Leeds on 13 April.

This is all as a result of getting knocked out of the FA Cup early and not having any European competition this season.

Michael Carrick acknowledges there are two ways of looking at the situation.

“There is the argument not playing games can help you prepare better for the next one and then not playing them can knock you out of your rhythm,” he said.

“The reality is we're not playing as many games as some. It's just how it is. We have to accept it and make the best of it.”

Nottingham Forest

Image source, PA Media

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira on opponents Fulham and Portuguese compatriot Marco Silva: "I know him very well. He's doing fantastic work in the Premier League. He has been with this club for a long time.

"It means it's a different situation between him and me. But now I believe that we can compete and we can compete for the three points."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Selhurst Park

Sky Sports are reporting that Dean Henderson misses out for Palace today due to illness.

Oliver Glasner will hope his number one is well enough to return on Thursday for their trip to AEK Larnaca in the Conference League.

Be Honest: I love how Carrick has avoided the noise and expert pundits who in most cases create hoopla. Top 4 would be more than enough to keep him.

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Man Utd's interim boss Michael Carrick, speaking to Sky Sports: "Great for us to have a game like this with so much to play for. They're a tough team with a good coach - it has the makings of a really good game.

"There is a bit more time to prepare – the rhythm is slightly affected in some ways, but we have not made anything of it. It is, what it is."

On Amad Diallo replacing Benjamin Sesko: "We've got a good forward line to choose from. It is getting that balance right from game to game. Over the eight games, we have had a good impact in different ways coming off of the bench."

On the game: "I think you approach it with lots of positivity. We're playing at home. It is a big game, it is important, and we're on a decent run of form. A bit of a setback, but it happens in football. It is not the end of the world."

Manchester United

Played: 8

Won: 6

Drawn: 1

Lost: 1

Points: 19/24

Has Michael Carrick done enough to be offered the Manchester United job full-time?

"He is doing an excellent job, yes, absolutely," United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe told Sky Sports News about the interim boss.

"Clearly we are thinking about that [Champions League qualification], but there are still seven or eight games to go, so still a while yet."

Asked if Carrick had done enough to be offered the job permanently, Ratcliffe added: "No, not going there."

Dion Dublin
Former Man Utd & Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 Live at Old Trafford

I am surprised. Benjamin Sesko has been doing really well and as a centre forward you just want those runs to continue when you are scoring goals. It has taken him time to get to where he is – I believe he has done well.

Another gorgeous day in Manchester.

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA