Manchester United head to long-standing rivals Leeds on Sunday with mounting pressure on manager Michael Carrick. Across the league, Manchester City hope to keep their flawless start going, even though their future remains clouded by a serious legal case.
City could be among the biggest beneficiaries if they receive severe sanctions for breaking financial rules, since that would open the door for other clubs. Brighton, who sit just two points behind second-placed Arsenal, will be looking to build on their strong form when they face Crystal Palace in a fiercely contested fixture.
Man Utd’s worst league start in 40 years
United have endured their poorest league beginning for four decades, and the turmoil deepened after defender Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised the club’s leadership. He blamed a lack of investment in the squad following Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid. His frustration was aimed at technical director Jason Wilcox, who oversaw a transfer window in which the Red Devils added only three midfielders.
Martinez has also come under scrutiny himself, as he was among the players most responsible for the goals conceded against Fulham and Tottenham in recent weeks. United have claimed just one win from their opening six league matches. They were also knocked out of the League Cup by Brighton last month.
Leeds have not beaten United at Elland Road since 2002, yet they did inflict the only home defeat of Carrick’s interim spell last season, when the teams met in April. Carrick is increasingly at risk of becoming the latest manager unable to halt the steep decline at Old Trafford since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Still, Carrick believes the hostile atmosphere awaiting his players offers a chance to recover.
“What a great game (on) Sunday to prepare for. It’s a fantastic game for us, for the club, for the history, for the supporters,” said Carrick.
“Everything to do with the game is a great game so we’ll be ready for that.”
Manchester City’s case leaves the league in limbo
City sit at the top of the table after six wins from six league games. However, all of that could count for little if they fail to overturn a guilty verdict on more than 100 charges of breaking Premier League rules. City deny any wrongdoing.
Enzo Maresca’s side put the distraction aside to win 3-0 at Liverpool last weekend. They also fought back impressively in the second half of a thrilling Champions League tie on Tuesday, although they lost 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain.
The case began eight years ago and still has at least a few months to run before the appeal is heard and any potential sanction is announced. In the meantime, the uncertainty has left the whole league in limbo.
“My underlying thought is none of this is good for football and there are no winners,” said former England manager Gareth Southgate.
City could open up a six-point cushion at the top when Ipswich visit the Etihad on Saturday. Arsenal are not in action until 24 hours later, when they travel to Nottingham Forest.
Brighton eye Champions League after rapid rise
Arsenal’s only defeat this season came in a 3-0 defeat against Brighton, whose remarkable progress could reach new heights while several established giants are struggling. Brighton have climbed through the divisions and into European competition, which owner Tony Bloom’s expertise in data analytics has helped to drive. They have yet to play Champions League football, however.
Brighton have regularly sold their most valuable players to wealthier clubs, yet shrewd recruitment of both players and coaches has allowed them to keep thriving. That approach has made them a favourite among neutral fans. Manager Fabian Hurzeler, though, wants his team to show a tougher edge against Palace on Sunday.
“We want to be ruthless. We want to create this energetic atmosphere where it makes it so hard to come to this place,” said Hurzeler. “We have to keep building this together with our fans and not be the nice football club anymore.”
