Man Utd set to contest JJ Gabriel red cardpublished at 18:37 GMT 10 February
18:37 GMT 10 February
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Manchester United intend to appeal against the red card that threatens to rule star forward JJ Gabriel out of next week's FA Youth Cup tie at Oxford United.
The 15-year-old was sent off in the second half of United's 4-3 win at West Brom in the Premier League Under-18 Cup on Tuesday afternoon.
The red card carries a three-match suspension that would prevent Gabriel playing at Oxford on 18 February, when a place in the last eight will be at stake.
Despite his age, Gabriel has been one of the standout players for United at under-18 level and has trained with the first team at times this season, under both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick.
Will today be the day?published at 16:56 GMT 10 February
16:56 GMT 10 February
Image source, The United Strand
Barbers, ready your scissors. And perhaps plan to stay open a little later than usual tonight.
Today could be the day.
Manchester United have the opportunity to win five successive matches but perhaps more importantly, for some at least, Frank Ilett, also known as The United Strand, may be allowed to cut his hair.
Ilett posted a video on 5 October 2024 where he vowed not to cut his hair until United won five games in a row and now, 493 days later, he is one victory over relegation-threatened West Ham away from another.
Over the last 493 days, the reach of the story has grown so much so that Ilett has garnered 2.3 million followers on social media, while Red Devils interim manager Michael Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes have even asked about it.
"It certainly won't go into the team talk," Carrick said in Monday's news conference, but, haircut or not, winning his first five games in charge would mark a significant achievement.
Image source, Getty Images
BBC football data analyst Chris Collinson has dug into the last time United won five games in a row.
In all competitions, the last instance was between 28 January and 18 February 2024 - 723 days ago - under Erik ten Hag where they beat Newport in the FA Cup and won four league games in a row.
In the Premier League it was between 13 May and 14 August 2023 where they won the final four games of the 2022-23 season and their 2023-24 opener against Wolves.
In the Premier League in a single season it was even further back between 13 November 2022 and 14 January 2023 where their fifth win was a 2-1 derby win against Manchester City.
Ilett did not specify which competition the wins needed to come in for him to get his cut but, given United's early exit from both domestic cups and lack of European football, the milestone can only be reached through Premier League games anyway.
For most, regardless of the minutia, an end to this particular sideshow would be most welcome.
'Holland and United is a match made in heaven'published at 12:30 GMT 10 February
12:30 GMT 10 February
Alex Turk Fan writer
Michael Carrick is the face of Manchester United's unlikely push for a Champions League return, and, in some ways, rightly so.
He is in charge of the dressing room, so he has to get the players on side and inspire them to win football matches. It's fair to say, after four victories from four, he's succeeding.
Much of the focus has understandably been on United's free-flowing attacking football across those games.
Ten goals scored against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur - including three at the Emirates, where Arsenal had previously only shipped five in 11 outings - is not to be snuffed at.
However, United have been scoring goals at will all season. The dramatic defensive improvement has been the foundation of the Red Devils' revival.
Open play xG (expected goals) conceded in Carrick's four matches? Man City, 0.36. Arsenal, 0.39. Fulham, 0.43. Spurs, 0.55.
United kept clean sheets against City and Spurs, while Arsenal profited from a fortunate own-goal and a scrappy corner. Fulham netted through a penalty and Kevin's wonder strike.
Steve Holland was always going to be a smart appointment as Carrick's Number two. Not only is he a lifelong United supporter, but he is a specialist in defensive set-up.
Years of experience contributing towards the success of managers like Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Gareth Southgate in huge jobs is now showing at Old Trafford.
Carrick deserves his mass praise, as do his other assistants Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion and Jonny Evans.
But Holland and United is a match made in heaven, and he must stay on, regardless of who takes the helm next season.
It's another week, and now another test. West Ham has been a hopeless hunting ground for United in recent years.
The Hammers' recent resurgence - fuelled by Crysencio Summerville's five-match scoring streak, ever-dangerous captain Jarrod Bowen and in-form talents El Hadji Malick Diouf and Matheus Fernandes - poses a serious risk of more misery.
But United can visit the London Stadium with confidence that the attack can score goals and that the defence can keep them out.
Man Utd corner was 'truly innovative'published at 11:44 GMT 10 February
11:44 GMT 10 February
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
It is not often you see things that are truly innovative in top-level football. Manchester United came very close with their first goal against Spurs.
The planning of the intricate corner-kick routine would have looked at home on the Seattle Seahawks' tactics board. Yes it might have been used before way back in the mists of time, but it was a rare moment of planning outside the box, to make space inside of it.
Every team is seeking an advantage at corners, usually copying Arsenal's set-up. I was there to see Newcastle do that against Brentford on Saturday. A tide of big players at the back post rush together and engulf the keeper as the ball is whipped in towards him. It is rough and ready but hugely effective.
United went down the more cerebral road with a short corner to the near post, a practiced 'no-look' pass from there to give Mbeumo the space to score.
It was the most satisfying moment of the weekend and once again showed that Michael Carrick and his team are on a different wavelength to the management team before.
West Ham v Man Utd: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 08:28 GMT 10 February
08:28 GMT 10 February
Chris Adams BBC Sport journalist
West Ham United have proven to be something of a bogey team for Manchester United in recent years and will be hoping to continue their good form when the two sides meet at London Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Hammers have won four of their last six Premier League games against the Red Devils, including both meetings last season - more than they had in their previous 28 meetings.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side find themselves in 18th position, largely because of some dreadful home form that has earned them just 10 points from a possible 36, but they have beaten Manchester United in their last three encounters in east London.
Hammers shed unwanted record
Saturday's 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Burnley was West Ham's third win in four after 10 games without a victory.
It saw the Irons end a dire run of 21 league games without a clean sheet – their first under Nuno – a welcome shutout that coincided with a debut for on-loan Chelsea defender Axel Disasi and a recall for goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
In attack, the Hammers are notably more dangerous since January arrivals Valentin Castellano and Pablo entered the fray, having scored at least twice in four consecutive top-flight games for the first time since a run of five in December 2021-January 2022. But one of the main reasons they've won three of their last four league games is Crysencio Summerville.
The rejuvenated Dutch winger is one of the league's in-form players, with a fine display in the FA Cup third-round win over Queens Park Rangers triggering a run of five goals in five consecutive games in all competitions - the first West Ham player to achieve that feat since Jesse Lingard in March/April 2021.
High five for Carrick?
Four wins on the spin for Manchester United under Michael Carrick has the Old Trafford faithful dreaming of Champions League football again with the Red Devils sitting fourth, unbeaten in eight, just three points behind Aston Villa.
A 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday marked the first time United have won four league games on the trot since February 2024 under Erik ten Hag; it was during the Dutchman's reign they last won five-in-a-row in a single league season, in November 2022-January 2023.
The sparkling form of Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha has helped the Reds rattle home 10 goals in Carrick's four games in charge, but equally as pleasing for the new head coach will be the two clean sheets in that time – as many as United had recorded in the 23 games this season prior to his appointment.
Carrick's return to the dugout against Manchester City marked the first time Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez had started a league game together since February 2025 and their experience in place of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven has resulted in form befitting of a team targeting a top-four finish. Nobody in the competition has won a higher percentage of duels than Maguire (81.5%) since his return from injury.
The expectation will be on Carrick to record a fifth successive win but he will be wary of the club's poor recent record in midweek away games; United have won just one of their last nine such games on the road, losing five.
Sutton's predictions: West Ham v Man Utdpublished at 07:44 GMT 10 February
07:44 GMT 10 February
Both of these teams have found a bit of form, and West Ham's victory over Burnley was huge for them in their fight against the drop.
It seems Manchester United can do no wrong under Michael Carrick, who has often been linked with the West Ham job down the years but goes back to his old club looking for a fifth straight win.
I think he will get it, too. We had some callers into 606 thinking United would be Arsenal's biggest challengers from now on, which seems a stretch, but there is no doubt they are on a bit of a high.
This is the sort of game where idiots like me can get sucked in and get on the Carrick bandwagon... I am wary, but I am still going to be positive and jump on board too.
Gossip: Man Utd eye Ndiaye as Rashford awaits decisionpublished at 07:01 GMT 10 February
07:01 GMT 10 February
Marcus Rashford's Barcelonafuture hangs on the club's presidential election next month. A £26m deal for the on-loan Manchester United forward is the centrepiece of Joan Laporta's re-election bid. (Times - subscription required), external
United will target Everton's 25-year-old Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye if Rashford moves to the Nou Camp in a permanent deal. (Caught Offside), external
Meanwhile, United are keen on Borussia Monchengladbach's 23-year-old German midfielder Rocco Reitz, who is valued at about £35m. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Finally, another Manchester United midfield target, Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali, is likely to have an asking price of up to £100m. The 25-year-old Italy midfielder is also attracting attention from Arsenal,Manchester City and Juventus. (Talksport), external
Carrick on clean sheets, confidence and Mount's fitnesspublished at 13:30 GMT 9 February
13:30 GMT 9 February
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against West Ham at London Stadium (kick-off 20:15 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Mason Mount will not be fit to face West Ham but could return to action against Everton (23 February), while Matthijs de Ligt will also be considered around the same time.
Carrick says keeping clean sheets is helping the cause greatly and praised his players for absorbing what has been asked of them. He said: "We do seem to be a team that can cause a lot of problems and create opportunities and score goals, so it's definitely getting the balance right. There's still things to improve on, it's definitely something we've focused on, trying to be better as a team collectively when we don't have the ball."
He says West Ham's lowly position means they will be "fighting" but he stated: "So are we. We've got a lot to fight for, so you'd like to think that balances out in some ways and it's who can come out on top at the end of it, but sure, we're totally aware of what we're going into on Tuesday night and how difficult it will be."
Carrick was asked if the wins he gained early on at Middlesbrough mean he approaches this early success at Man Utd differently: "You definitely take the confidence and the feeling from the games that you've had knowing you can go into the next game with a little bit more feel-good factor about it, but I guess the big challenge is knowing what's got you there and all the hard work and the preparation and then what it takes to win a game of football at this level is tough, so never assuming the next one's just going to be all right. But you've still got to allow yourself to feel the little bits and waves of emotion with it. You're all a little bit boring and pointless if you didn't really to be honest."
The caretaker boss says he has a "really good relationship" with captain Bruno Fernandes, who has stated he thinks Carrick will go on to be a great manager.
Carrick added: "I understand how much he's a really intelligent footballer, he's bright, he cares a lot for this club, so in terms of that side of it, we all want the same thing. So, it's obviously nice when players that you respect, as I do with Bruno a lot, says good things about you, but ultimately it's about the team, getting the best out of the team, and actually that's all working together. So, time will tell, it's not about judging how good or successful at this moment in time, because nothing's really happened yet. We've hopefully got a lot more to do between now and the end of the season, and see what happens after that."
Eshan: Great team spirit and positive football from United. Silly from Cristian Romero, which helped Michael Carrick's side. It's great to see the DNA again, and to have luck on our side - the DNA is earning those 'lucky' moments. Bruno Fernandes' goal was awesome - no luck involved, just great shin control.
Puma: What a turnaround this is with Carrick at the helm. Frustrating times with Ruben Amorim's system for far too long, now it seems the potential is unleashed! Hoping for a consistent run of form before some big summer decisions. Also, so pleased for Kobbie Mainoo - it must have been a difficult 14 months for him, but now he's exceptional in that midfield.
Armstrong: Results suggest Carrick is the right move. Wish they had hammered Spurs, but Michael has changed the season around from mid-table meddling to hopes of top four. Who knows what the future has in store, but Michael was added to Jose Mourinho's staff for a reason. Smart, knows the club and is a legend - they could do a lot worse... and have!
KDG: I reckon Bruno has consistently been the best player in the Premier League this season. Involved in everything. The fact United have scored more goals this season than the whole of last season speaks volumes.
Spurs fans
Anff: Romero, what more can we say? Been saying since he arrived he's a liability. From airing his dirty washing in public to this. Get rid while he's still worth a bob or two. That killed the game - we were well in it until then. Remove the captaincy and give it to Conor Gallagher. He's either wandering around disinterested or making rash challenges - and he's not going to change. As good as he can be, he's a sending off waiting to happen.
Al: The powers that be at Tottenham have been waiting for the next Spurs loss to fire Frank. So many injuries I know, but with the likes of Carrick doing very well, clubs will take less time to change coaches.
Nigel: Spurs were playing well before the red card, and it was a good watch. I don't understand what others are seeing on the red card - for me, Romero is in possession, goes to kick the ball (to which he does get a touch) and Casemiro rushes in, misses the ball but connects with Romero's foot. Clumsy from Romero, but certainly no intent and a yellow at worst. Given the weakness of the squad they did well to keep it to 1-0 until nearly the end. Romero is absolutely right to criticise the club by the way - an appalling lack of investment in quality players. Maybe it wasn't Daniel Levy who was the problem.
John: Romero wasn't wrong in his criticism of the club and I wish more of the playing and coaching staff spoke out. However, he's never going to be part of a solution while his poor discipline makes him such a liability. I kind of hope we get relegated as I think that's the only thing to inspire cultural change that's needed at the club.
United set-piece routine 'didn't work in training' - Mbeumopublished at 12:05 GMT 8 February
12:05 GMT 8 February
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Bryan Mbeumo says Manchester United's players practiced the intricate corner kick routine that led to his ninth Premier League goal of the season in training – and it didn't work.
United coach Jonny Evans and analyst Kaita Hasegawa came up with the plan, which began with Harry Maguire attacking as a distraction in the penalty area.
Kobbie Mainoo then dashed forward to take Bruno Fernandes' short pass, then flicked it first-time to the edge of the area, where Mbuemo applied the first time finish to give United the lead against Tottenham.
"It was the coach who wanted to practice this in training," said Mbeumo.
"Jonny Evans came to me and the guys, and we just try to hit it. We did it once and it didn't work out. But this was the most important."
A fourth successive victory moved United to within three points of third-placed Aston Villa and their hopes of returning to the Champions League are rising.
Michael Carrick has gained a lot of credit for the impact he has had since replacing Ruben Amorim last month but Mbeumo doesn't feel the form had been disastrous before.
"I just feel we built on what we were doing from the start," he said.
"I don't think it was as bad as a lot of people felt. We just work together, make the effort together and, with a big mentality, we're never beaten."
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 11:15 GMT 8 February
11:15 GMT 8 February
Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures and Friday's action.
Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham: What Carrick saidpublished at 15:57 GMT 7 February
15:57 GMT 7 February
Media caption,
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick, speaking toTNT Sport:"When it goes to 10 men, it is a always tricky situation. I thought it was quite an open game in the first half at times, we looked dangerous right from the start which was pleasing.
"Had a few issues where I thought Tottenham played some really good football first half. Going up against 10 men in the second half, I thought we managed it really well. Largely in control, always wanting the second goal to come along. When it did, that put is in a really good position. It was nice and it was nice to get players on the pitch, young Tyler coming on for his first game. All in all, it was really positive."
On United's opener: "I wouldn't say set-piece coach, but Jonny [Evans] has got an eye on it as we all have. Jonny is doing a lot of work with the players and he got the rewards for that. Delighted. We go into every game with some ideas on different teams, but when you see it come off as good as that and as important as that, the first goal was massive. It just shows you how important they can be."
On where United's momentum could take them: "It's not for now. I think enough to get carried away and excited as a supporter is what it should be. They come to support us and get carried away. Leaving the stadium in good spirits and wanting to come back, that's how it should be. It's our job to be able to provide that. To be in that position, to be able to do that today and in the last few weeks has been great. We've got to keep building on that."
United captain Bruno Fernandes speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "When we win games the confidence goes higher and higher. It is very important for us to maintain the focus and not overdo it now. This is very good and very nice but we need to keep going.
"If you don't win the next one and the next one you will get back into the same place where you don't feel comfortable, you lose confidence and struggle to believe in everything you have been doing until now.
"But, we have been doing very well until now to do everything that Michael and the staff have been asking of us and we have been very brave taking responsibility in some moments in the game to go and play and do whatever you need to do to win the game."
Did you know?
Manchester United have won four Premier League games in a row for the first time since February 2024 under Erik ten Hag and are now unbeaten in their last eight (W5 D3) - their longest run since January-February 2022 under Ralf Rangnick (W4 D4).
Bruno Fernandes registered his 200th goal involvement for the Red Devils in all competitions (104 goals, 96 assists), doing so in his 314th game for the club. Only Wayne Rooney (295) has taken taken fewer matches to reach that landmark for the Red Devils in the Premier League era.
Kobbie Mainoo's assist for Bryan Mbeumo's opener was his second across his last three Premier League games, more than he managed in his first 63 appearances for United in the competition (1).
Man Utd v Tottenham: Team newspublished at 11:28 GMT 7 February
11:28 GMT 7 February
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Michael Carrick goes with an unchanged line-up as Manchester United look for a fourth win in a row since he was installed as Ruben Amorim's successor until the end of the season.
The only change to Carrick's entire matchday squad is on the bench, where Scotland Under-19 midfielder Tyler Fletcher gets the nod ahead of young forward Shea Lacey.
Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Aston Villa" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Sunderland", for instance.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:02 GMT 6 February
19:02 GMT 6 February
Chris Adams BBC Sport journalist
Michael Carrick will be looking to maintain his 100% record in his second spell in charge of Manchester United in the Saturday 12:30 GMT kick-off at the expense of his former club Tottenham Hotspur, who are winless in their last six league games.
In Roy Keane's retelling of a Sir Alex Ferguson team talk ahead of a game against Spurs, the Scot reportedly told his players: "Lads, it's Tottenham," and left it at that, such was his confidence. Recently though, things have been less straightforward for the Old Trafford outfit, who will mark the 68th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster before kick-off.
The Red Devils are winless in their past six league games against Spurs (drawn three, lost three), their joint-longest run without a league win against the north London side – and one that extends to eight games in all competitions.
Classy Casemiro back to his best
With no arrivals in the winter transfer window, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro seem almost certain to continue as United's first-choice pairing at the base of midfield, as they have done in Carrick's three consecutive wins.
The Brazilian, who last month confirmed he will leave at the end of the season, has been in fine form recently, opening the scoring with a header in last week's dramatic 3-2 success against Fulham – since his debut in August 2022, no midfielder has scored more headers in the Premier League than Casemiro's seven.
The home side conceded twice when he was replaced by Manuel Ugarte in the second half of that game; astonishingly, they've let in more league goals this season with Ugarte on the pitch than with Casemiro, despite the Uruguayan playing less than half the number of minutes.
A Frank assessment
Tottenham's second-half rally to earn a 2-2 draw against Manchester City last week provided a welcome fillip for head coach Thomas Frank, whose side haven't won in the league this calendar year.
"I think we can create something magic together - the players and the fans - when we are united like we were," Frank purred after that comeback. Spurs' Champions League form has arguably kept him in a job, although the Dane would quite rightly point to the club's ongoing injury crisis as a mitigating factor.
Dominic at the double
One man who is back off the treatment table is Dominic Solanke, who netted both goals to earn a point against City – even if his dubious first effort provoked the ire of Pep Guardiola, who insisted it was a foul.
Solanke has four goals in six games in all competitions since returning from an ankle injury that caused him to miss four months of the season, averaging a goal every 88 minutes. That's the best rate of any Spurs player this season, and notably he has notched five in his last five appearances against Manchester United.
The statistics suggest that the first half of this encounter will be telling for Tottenham, who sit 14th in the table with just one league win in nine. They are winless in all 10 of their league games when behind at the break this term – drawing three and losing seven – and unbeaten in all six when leading at half-time (won five, drawn one).
Worryingly for Frank, only the bottom two sides have conceded more first-half goals than Tottenham's 18 in the league this season.
