Is Michael Carrick the best option for MANCHESTER UNITED?
Carrick, the former Manchester United caretaker manager, could be back in the dugout
Following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United hierarchy are reportedly looking to hire another interim manager until the end of this current season and then reassess their options going into the summer. This is a path well trodden by the club in recent years. The likes of Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy have all undertaken such a role since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson at end of the 2012/13 title winning campaign.
The club could never have envisaged such a drop off once the most decorated manager in British football left his post after the madcap draw at the Hawthorns in the final game of that successful season, in which they regained the Premier League trophy from Manchester City. At that point, City had only one Premier League title to their name (three times champions of England overall) following the investment from the Abu Dhabi United Group and Sheikh Mansour. Under Ferguson, United had won the Premier League thirteen times alone and the club had been crowned champions of England twenty times.
Fast forward to now and United have been nowhere near winning another top flight crown and City have added a further seven Premier Leagues to their honors list. There have also been two League winning campaigns for Liverpool, which has allowed them to equal United’s twenty top flight titles. All in all, it’s been a disastrous period in United’s history, when you consider it was a position of relative strength that Ferguson handed over to David Moyes in the summer of 2013.
The reasons are vast and varied to why it has all gone so wrong during the last twelve and a half years, but, alongside the ownership issues, one of the main reasons has been the constant chopping and changing of not only managers and players but also styles and philosophies, as Louis van Gaal would constantly refer to. A club like Manchester United is a footballing institution. It transcends the sport. The club is known for its history, traditions and it’s identity.
Football clubs like United, Liverpool, Celtic and Rangers in British football and the likes of Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan are exactly the same on the continent. They have their way of doing things. It is no coincidence that these clubs are successful when they operate and play the way they are supposed to. With both Ferguson and David Gill leaving in 2013, there was huge power vacuum which has been filled at executive level, especially, by people who just don’t understand what the club is all about. Upon running the club, Ed Woodward famously remarked United was “like Disneyland for adults”. That summed up everything that had gone wrong.
Following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, it appears the current leadership team have realized that they have to get the club back to being Manchester United again and quickly. Many pundits, fans and supporters have been saying this for years. You cannot have the likes of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag and Amorim imposing their philosophies or trying to change the style of the club to suit who they are. The club should always identify a manager to suit the club first and foremost and not a manager come in and flip the script.
The current incarnation of Manchester United needs to start behaving as United should. The likes of Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox appear, at least, to recognize this and realize that the way Ruben Amorim wanted to play just wasn’t who or what Manchester United are. They have reportedly made the decision to make a short-term appointment until the end of the season and bring a feel good factor back to the club and take stock and assess their options throughout the second half of the campaign and the summer. A big part of this, it seems, is to bring in someone who will behave and play like a United manager.
The reports are that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set for another stint in charge at the club. However, it could well be that another man who took charge of United on a short-term basis in the past could be a great option. That man could be Michael Carrick. His previous stint in charge brought a calm and assuredness to the role and two wins from three games. He won in Spain against Villarreal in the Champions League and at home against Arsenal, whilst also earning a draw away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Following these games he decided to step away, likely knowing what the board and leadership team at the time were like. That has now changed and although their track record hasn’t been great so far, at least there is some kind of structure in place and you’d hope the mistakes have already been made and learnt from. In those three games in charge, Carrick dropped Bruno Fernandes from the Villarreal game and Cristiano Ronaldo from the Chelsea match. When asked by reporters as to why he did this, with a wry smile, he simply stated because he is the manager and he picks the team. It was clear he had an authority about him and the respect of the players. He also moved Fred further forward, acutely aware of his defensive frailties.
In appointing Carrick now for the short-term, the club would hire a manager who the players would respect and who now also has a full time manager’s job at Middlesbrough behind him in addition to his stint as caretaker at the club. Although he did not manage to get Middlesbrough promoted to the Premier League, they were always in the top half and play-off positions for most of his time there, despite ultimately falling away. He also liked to play attacking, expansive football and allow his players freedom to express themselves which are some of the key principles of Manchester United football club. He would certainly return a more experienced and well rounded manager.
In appointing Carrick until the end of the season, the club could surround him with staff whom he trusts. The likes of Darren Fletcher and Jonny Evans could become part of the first team coaching team. The club could even bring back an experienced head in Rene Meulensteen to help and have Old Gunnar Solskjaer involved as Technical Director, for example, having a role between the senior and youth teams. It would certainly feel a lot more like Manchester United at least.
If it were to go well the club could go down the Mikel Arteta route at Arsenal. The Basque had never previously managed before taking the hot seat at the Emirates. He did however have plenty of coaching experience working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and playing under Arsene Wenger and David Moyes amongst others. With regards to Michael Carrick he can count on his own experiences in the dugout and by playing under Sir Alex Ferguson and learning from Jose Mourinho too as part of his staff.
Football is a funny old game and you never know just what might happen. At the time Arteta was appointed Arsenal manager, Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as manager of Everton and the logical assumption was the roles should realistically have been reversed, but despite only winning one FA Cup since 2020 you cannot say that Arteta has not changed the culture at Arsenal, improved their mentality and built a squad which is likely to win the Premier League this season following three consecutive second place finishes. When he took over at Arsenal they were miles away from competing at the top of the table.
This is exactly the position that United are in. The club needs alignment. The leadership team now have to get this right. They have been in situ for a couple of seasons and there are no excuses. They are in charge of running a global footballing institution with its own unique identity. The first part of getting it back on track is to revert back to who United are and in appointing someone like Michael Carrick, with his mentality, personality and experience of the club they may well have someone who can help them in the short-term but also going forward into the future too.
This game might be something similar to the Peach Bowl back in 2022. Remember when Georgia and Ohio State played in that instant classic that ended as the clock struck midnight? After what happened in Los Angeles, roughly 10 days later, left everyone realizing the National Championship had been played in Atlanta. I think that may be a road we are headed down once again, with a clash of titans in Atlanta (Yes, Indiana is a titan). So who wins and how do they do it?
I’m curious to see what form of Dan Lanning we get Friday night. For all of his success he hasn’t been fantastic in big games. He struggled to close out the season in his first year losing 2 of his last 3 when the CFP was in sight. In 2023 he couldn’t beat Washington and last year after beating Ohio State and winning the BIG 10 he got ran out of Pasadena by Ohio State. I’m not saying that he can’t win these games or hasn’t won games like these in the past but his track record hasn’t been fantastic in these moments.
Oregon is thin at running back, with reports coming out that they have moved two defenders to offense to help with the lack of depth at that position. They have 4 running backs out of this game, and Noah Whittington was a late add to the injury report as questionable. Aside from Whittington, the backs available for the Ducks on Friday are Dierre Hill Jr. and Jay Harris (who is transferring). Oregon dealt with injuries all year at receiver, and just when that room starts to get healthy, their running backs start to drop like flies.
All that said, there are still two things I believe/know to be true. The first is that it is hard to beat a good team twice. I know this is cliché and coach speak, but it is absolutely true. The second is, despite all of the injuries Oregon has in its backfield, this is still the best offense that Indiana has seen in a while. The health of that receiver room is big, and they still have probably the best tight end in the country in Kenyon Sadiq. Oh yeah, and their defense is pretty good too.
Notes on Indiana
Everyone has seemingly been waiting for Indiana to be proven fraudulent. To be honest, I am not quite sure why. Alabama was a popular upset pick in the Rose Bowl, and Indiana is now the only team in the 12-team format to not lose after having a bye (teams with a bye in the 12-team CFP format are 1-7). No one picked them against Ohio State (myself included). Oregon was expected to blow them out in Eugene earlier this year. None of that happened, though, and Curt Cignetti and his staff just keep chugging along.
On the Injury front, Indiana has no surprises, unlike Oregon, which had in their backfield. Their kickoff specialist is listed as doubtful, but I think they’ll probably be able to survive that. So Indiana has won the injury report at least. Compared to their last matchup with Oregon, they have had a couple of in-season injuries, specifically along the D-line. So that will be something to watch for tonight. Does that D-line do as good a job against the Oregon O-line as they did in Eugene?
Prediction + Betting Lines
I think this game comes down to the coaching staff more than anything else. These rosters from a talent standpoint are extremely close (although it may not look like it on paper). I would say Oregon definitely drew the short end of the stick when it comes to injuries. I do hope that will not play a factor in the game tonight. The last thing I want to see is an Oregon DB taking a handoff in a CFP Semi-Final game because we cannot get the college football calendar right. (Oregon has multiple running backs in the portal, along with their injuries)
When you look at the two coaching staffs, Indiana’s has been the best in the country all year, and when you pair that with the fact that Tosh Lupoi and Will Stein have been working double duty this week, I definitely give the edge to Indiana on the sidelines and on the field.
Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi has described his involvement at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco as the realisation of a lifelong dream, as the Super Eagles continue their quest for continental glory.
The Hull City centre-back has been one of Nigeria’s most reliable performers in the tournament so far, featuring in three of the Super Eagles’ four matches.
Alongside Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, Ajayi has built a formidable partnership that has played a key role in Nigeria’s progress to the knockout stages.
Their understanding at the heart of defence was on full display in Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique, which produced the Super Eagles’ first clean sheet of the competition.
Speaking exclusively to Sports Talk ahead of Nigeria’s quarter-final clash against Algeria, Ajayi admitted that representing the Super Eagles on Africa’s biggest stage still feels surreal.
Born in England, Ajayi grew up with dreams of becoming a professional footballer—but he never imagined reaching this level with Nigeria.
“Honestly, it’s a dream come true,” Ajayi told Sports Talk Florida. “As a young kid growing up, I never even imagined getting one cap for the Super Eagles. Now I just want to get as many as I can.”
The 31-year-old defender has become a vital figure in the squad, and AFCON 2025 marks another important chapter in his international journey.
Ajayi was also part of Nigeria’s squad at AFCON 2023, where the Super Eagles finished runners-up after losing to Cote d’Ivoire in the final.
That disappointment, however, has only strengthened his desire to go one step further this time.
Building a Rock-Solid Defence with Calvin Bassey
One of Nigeria’s biggest strengths at AFCON 2025 has been its defensive organisation, and much of that stability comes from the growing chemistry between Ajayi and Calvin Bassey.
The two centre-backs complement each other well, with Ajayi bringing positional discipline and aerial dominance, while Bassey offers aggression and ball-playing ability.
Together, they have become one of the tournament’s most effective defensive pairings.
“We are improving game by game,” Ajayi continued. “We’ve played a lot of games together, and we have a good understanding of how each other works.
“We’re always pushing each other to be better.”
Their partnership reached a new level in the dominant win over Mozambique, where Nigeria kept a clean sheet while scoring four goals.
It was indeed a performance that underlined Nigeria’s credentials as genuine AFCON title contenders.
“Today was an improvement, and we’re looking to improve again for the next game,” Ajayi added.
When asked to name the toughest opponent Nigeria have faced so far, Ajayi refused to single out one team, stressing that every match has required full focus and commitment.
“Every game gets harder and harder,” the Hull City star said. “The stakes get higher and higher. The concentration needs to be higher and higher.”
Nigeria’s next challenge comes in the form of Algeria and with a place in the semi-finals on the line, Ajayi’s defensive prowess will be crucial in deciding Nigeria’s progress as they aim for a fourth AFCON trophy.
Tampa Bay Rays pinch hiter Nick Fortes rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
The Tampa Bay Rays have officially ended their deal with Main Street Sports, the operator of the FanDuel Sports Network regional channels. The decision follows weeks of financial turmoil, missed payments, and the collapse of Main Street’s proposed sale to DAZN.
The Rays were the final MLB team still aligned with Main Street. Every other club tied to the network had already opted out or prepared to leave. The Rays made their move after receiving confirmation that the DAZN deal was dead.
According to Sports Business Journal reporting summarized by MLB Trade Rumors, the DAZN negotiations “are all but extinguished.” That left the Rays with no viable long‑term broadcast partner under the Main Street umbrella.
Why the Rays Chose to Exit Now
The Rays monitored the situation closely as Main Street’s financial position deteriorated. AP and ESPN reported that nine MLB teams entered 2026 under Main Street contracts. Eight teams terminated their deals earlier this week.
The Rays waited for clarity on the DAZN sale before making their decision. Once the deal collapsed, the Rays determined that staying with Main Street was no longer sustainable.
The club also reviewed the terms DAZN proposed to teams. SBJ reported that DAZN sought a 20 percent rights‑fee reduction, deferred payments into late 2026, and a 50‑50 profit share for next season. Teams rejected those terms, causing the deal to fall apart.
With no buyer in place, the Rays chose to exit.
Manfred: “Fans Will Not Lose Games”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the situation in comments reported by AP and ESPN. “We will not allow fans to lose games,” Manfred said. He emphasized that MLB is prepared to “step in immediately” to protect local broadcasts.
Manfred also said MLB has “contingency plans for every affected market,” including Tampa Bay. He stressed that MLB’s priority is “stability and access for fans.”
Rays Likely Headed to MLB.TV and a Local Broadcast Partner
With Main Street collapsing, the Rays are expected to land on MLB.TV and a local over‑the‑air broadcast partner. ESPN reported that MLB has already begun discussions with local stations in multiple markets.
WUSF/AP noted that MLB used a similar model when the Padres and Diamondbacks lost their RSN partners in 2023. The league produced the broadcasts and distributed them through MLB.TV and local affiliates.
The Rays expect a similar arrangement for 2026.
Could the Rays Return to Main Street? Unlikely
Main Street has told teams that Fubo entered late‑stage talks to buy the company. However, ESPN reported that industry sources “do not believe Fubo is a credible bidder.”
AP described the situation as “chaotic and deteriorating by the hour.” The Rays view a return to Main Street as highly unlikely.
Rays Move Forward With MLB Support
The Rays now join the other eight MLB teams that have left Main Street. MLB will guide the club through the transition and ensure fans continue to receive every game.
As Manfred told AP: “Fans will see their games. That is our commitment.”
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