It’s fair to say that Manchester United’s imperious form under interim manager Michael Carrick has won the 44-year-old plenty of plaudits. Despite this, former United captain Gary Neville still believes two other managers are more suited to the role at Old Trafford on a permanent basis. Since Carrick first took the reins at his old club, the Red Devils have picked up the most points in the Premier League and secured a return to football’s elite European competition, the Champions League. Things are certainly looking brighter for the club than they were under previous coach Ruben Amorim, who struggled to adapt to the demands of one of the biggest jobs in world football. A surprise return to form Many thought a top five finish and return to the Champions League would be impossible when Carrick returned to the club in January. The team were in poor form and results had been well below par, leading to concerns the club might be on course for another nightmare season. Under the calm leadership of Carrick, who played for the club at the same time as stalwart Luke Shaw, United appear to have turned a corner. Results have been nothing short of spectacular, with Carrick managing to beat all of the traditional top six teams in his short time in charge so far. Moreover, many United players have hit top form in this period. Under his stewardship, Bruno Fernandes is on course to break the all-time Premier League assist record and Kobbie Mainoo’s fine form has earned him a lucrative new contract. This uptick in form and improvement in player relations has led to many United players throwing their support behind Carrick, believing he should receive the job on a permanent basis. Is a more experienced manager required? Legendary pundit and former United captain Gary Neville has come around somewhat on his former teammate landing the job on a permanent basis, but he still has some reservations. Speaking on The Overlap Stick To Football Podcast, Neville said: “If Luis Enrique and Carlo Ancelotti become available, I do think Manchester United should go on to appoint a manager who’s won the Champions League, titles in different countries, and have somebody who can handle the scrutiny of the job.” “If they’re going into the Glasner and Iraola stuff and Fabregas, I don’t believe they should appoint those. So Michael [Carrick] should get it if they don’t get a world-class manager.” It seems unlikely that Enrique would leave PSG having just guided them to a second consecutive Champions League final and, with his first World Cup as Brazil manager approaching, Ancelotti is sure to be entirely focused on his role there. All of which seems to suggest Neville would, unless something truly unexpected occurred, be happy for his old teammate to get a longer chance in the manager’s seat. A chance few can argue he does not deserve. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Mike Walsh Mike Walsh is an experienced freelance journalist who has written about a variety of topics over multiple years. He is very happy to finally be writing about the Red Devils, especially now that his favourite player, Michael Carrick, is in charge of the team.
Gary Neville identifies only two managers he would choose over Carrick at United without hesitation
Carrick’s biggest rival for United manager’s job is “close” to joining another club – report
In the summer, Manchester United are expected to finally appoint a new permanent head coach. At the start of the year, INEOS decided to pull the plug on Ruben Amorim’s United project. The Old Trafford chiefs finally conceded that the team was not improving under the Portuguese tactician. Rather than immediately appointing a replacement, the Red Devils opted for the caretaker route, with Michael Carrick being asked to take charge until the summer. Fantastic under Michael Carrick Well, 14 games later, what a revelation the ex-midfielder has been while leading this team. United have picked up an impressive 10 wins, drawing two and losing two. This fine run, accompanied by some brilliant performances, has certainly positioned Carrick as a top contender for the United job. And while other top contenders keep being crossed off the list, it recently emerged that the Englishman’s strongest rival for the role was Andoni Iraola. Andoni Iraola has been brilliant at the Vitality Iraola has been brilliant for AFC Bournemouth. The Spaniard arrived and turned a relegation-battling side into a fierce Premier League competitor capable of tearing through any opposition. Watching the Cherries play, you would be blown away by how they control games, how they never tire, and how threatening they are. Last summer saw a mass exodus at the south-coast outfit, including Antoine Semenyo’s exit in the winter, yet they have continued to compete. As great as they have been, they are currently on a 15-game unbeaten run, so it was surprising to learn that Iraola would be leaving in the summer. Nevertheless, that decision had several top Premier League clubs salivating at the opportunity to hire the 43-year-old. United were among those keen, and not long ago it was claimed that, despite Carrick’s great work, the Bournemouth head coach remained a strong candidate for the Old Trafford job. Just as the United faithful were looking ahead to who between Carrick and Iraola would get the nod, an interesting update has dropped from Spain. Crystal Palace closing in on Iraola appointment El Chiringuito claims Iraola is close to making the move to Selhurst Park, where he would replace the departing Oliver Glasner when his contract at the Vitality Stadium ends. 🇪🇸🏴 “ANDONI IRAOLA, CERCA de LLEGAR al CRYSTAL PALACE”. ℹ️ Información de @marcosbenito9 pic.twitter.com/BpNslT9w0P — El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) May 7, 2026 If there is any ounce of truth in this, then surely the United job is Carrick’s. With Iraola now likely out of the picture, INEOS have an obvious decision to make. With no other serious options on the table, they have every excuse to hand Carrick the permanent head coach role at Old Trafford and trust him to sustain his brilliance leading this team. Feature image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.
United close in on £42m PL maestro after holding talks, he’s “open” to Old Trafford switch – Ben Jacobs
Manchester United are ramping up their pursuit of West Ham United midfield maestro Mateus Fernandes as the conditions for a deal are now clear, according to a transfer expert. Fernandes 2.0 Despite facing the potential ignominy of back-to-back relegations — first with Southampton and now with West Ham United — Fernandes‘s stock continues to rise after an impressive debut campaign in claret and blue. The Hammers signed the 21-year-old last summer for £42 million and are understood to consider him a cornerstone of their project moving forward. It would take a big-money offer to prise him away from the London Stadium. However, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are currently stranded in eighteenth place after rivals Tottenham Hotspur leapfrogged them last weekend. A daunting trip to face table-toppers Arsenal looms on Saturday, while Tottenham Hotspur host a Leeds United side with little left to play for. If West Ham United are unable to survive the drop, their negotiating position for Fernandes will crumble, and there is full expectation he will depart. United are at the front of a growing queue for the Portugal international, though Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are also admirers. Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes is believed to see his compatriot as a perfect fit at Old Trafford and has implored INEOS to strike a deal — with his bosses having listened to their talismanic No. 8. Talks are held Speaking to the United Stand, Ben Jacobs reveals United have “been in talks” with Mateus Fernandes’ camp for “four to six weeks…to establish terms [and] see if the player is open [to the move].” The talkSPORT reporter claims these conversations have been productive as Fernandes has communicated his wish to swap London for Manchester, describing him as “open” to United’s advances, but club-to-club negotiations are yet to be initiated. “If West Ham stay up, the deal will likely be off the table, at least without significantly overpaying. And sources say they will sit down with the player to and look to give him improved terms. [But] if they go down, it gets interesting because [Fernandes] does not want to be in the Championship.” Jacobs concludes that even with relegation, West Ham United will demand a fee in excess of the one they paid to Southampton. However, this would still come in under the prices being quoted for primary targets like Elliot Anderson or Sandro Tonali. Final Thoughts Fernandes is an outstanding young midfielder with the qualities in and out of possession to thrive across a variety of roles in the Premier League. If the former Sporting Clube de Portugal star can be signed in a cut-price deal thanks to West Ham United’s relegation, United will be hard pressed to find a better value target this summer. Featured image Julian Finney via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.
£17m Rolls-Royce defender wanted by United makes key decision over his future – report
Manchester United enjoyed tremendous success with their recruitment strategy last summer, which saw them bolster the attack and the goalkeeping department. Senne Lammens, Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have contributed heavily to the team’s rise this season, and the Red Devils will be hoping to repeat the trick this summer. While the midfield is likely to be the focal point of their plans, INEOS could also pursue defensive reinforcements, especially cost-effective deals that will not impact their primary objective. The English giants tied Harry Maguire down to a new deal last month, but he will turn 34 next year and needs to be replaced soon. United also have Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt in their squad, but both have struggled with fitness issues this season. Meanwhile, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven have shown great promise, but the Red Devils need to add more experience to their backline ahead of a testing campaign. A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person suggests that Elche defender David Affengruber has been identified as a cost-effective option to improve the defence. LaLiga’s rising squad Affengruber rose through the ranks at Red Bull Salzburg before moving to Sturm Graz in 2021. The Austrian joined Elche in the summer of 2024 and has since become a regular feature for the Spanish club. This season, Affengruber has registered 35 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with one goal and two assists. David Affengruber Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesStartsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsSecond Yellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played LaLiga3229116-12,593′ Copa del Rey32-1—143′ Total3531126-12,736′ Source: Transfermarkt. The 25 year old will enter the final year of his contract this summer and is yet to sign a new deal. Recent reports have suggested that he could be available for £17 million this year, making him an affordable option for United. There is rising interest in the player’s services, with Atletico Madrid reportedly among his suitors, and an update has now emerged that could put a dent in the Red Devils’ plans. Affengruber wants LaLiga stay According to Estadio Deportivo, Affengruber has not come to a decision regarding his future yet, but his preference is to remain in Spain. The report states: “Sources close to Affengruber say that the player has not yet made up his mind, but that he wishes to remain in LaLiga. This could tip the balance in his favour against other, financially more attractive offers.” The report confirms United’s interest in the Austrian, suggesting that his profile has endeared him to suitors. It adds: “He breaks through defences, reads the game well and maintains a high pass completion rate, which allows him to play an active role in building up play. A profile that is increasingly in demand.” The left-sided central defender is comfortable in tight spaces and very good with the ball at his feet, making him fine cover for the injury-prone Martinez. He also matches the age profile United have preferred in recent times, but it now looks like the Red Devils will have to turn their attention elsewhere. Final Thoughts While Affengruber has been very impressive in LaLiga, it is unclear how he would cope with the physical demands of the Premier League. United, instead, could target a defender with experience of English football, with previous reports suggesting they have their eyes on Brentford skipper Nathan Collins. Feature image Ion Alcoba Beitia via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
Man United star tells exactly where he stands on his future as summer window nears
Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer has outlined his “main goal” moving forward, while also sharing his verdict on the loan spells he has had this season. Transfer objective Collyer is currently on loan in the Championship with Hull City, having joined the club during the January transfer window. He spent the first half of the campaign with West Brom but it proved to be a challenging stint, due to consistently occurring injuries. Fitness issues limited Collyer to just 12 appearances at the Hawthorns. The 22-year-old’s spell with Hull also got off to a difficult start after he picked up a fresh injury. That said, when he has been available, Collyer’s performances have impressed and earned praise from his managers. The frustrating part is that those moments remain too rare. He sat down with Andy Mitten of The Athletic and outlined his clear objective as the summer window approaches. Collyer also discussed his loan spells this term. Collyer told the newspaper, “I spoke to my agent and they spoke to the club. The main thing was just to try and get as many minutes as possible. I don’t think this season would have been the season to stay around United, with us not being in Europe.” “And look what happened with the likes of Kobbie (Mainoo) at the start of the season, even Ayden. No cups meant players had periods struggling for minutes. If I stayed, I could’ve had even less, would have had even less potentially. It was the right decision this season to come out on loan.” On his West Brom tenure, Collyer remarked, “I enjoyed it. Ryan Mason, I liked the manager, staff around him. Mozza — James Morrison — who’s now in charge. The lads were great. But once you’re on the training pitch, you’re fighting for minutes. They had really good ideas, just didn’t really pick up the results.” “I got quite a bad calf injury, out for eight-10 weeks. I accidentally tweaked something before the game and then it’s just gone completely in the game. I did my rehab back at United and noticed that I felt I’d gained something being in a different environment, more of a man. And even though I was injured, I was in the United first-team dressing room still.” “They all welcomed me back. I had a great physio team around me. And other players had niggles, so I was in the gym with them: Kobbie, Josh Zirkzee, Maguire — H. It’s the best place to do rehab.” Asked how the switch to Hull materialised, Collyer answered, “It was a no-brainer. Hull showed interest in the summer and I had to make a tough decision to say no. I felt they really wanted me by coming back. The team were doing well with a slightly different style of play to West Brom. I thought I could benefit from that.” “West Brom was proper possession-based; you’re trying to play out from the back. At Hull, it’s more direct, a football I’ve not experienced at this level. The lads are good, the mood, we’re in a great spot.” He added, “I’ve not had as many minutes as I’ve wanted, but when I first came, I hadn’t played in 10 weeks. I had a tiny injury, which kept me out for a week and a half. I’ve just managed to get back up to speed, so it’s just about kicking on now.” “The ideal goal is to get promoted and it’s possible with the group of lads we’ve got here, the coaching staff, the people around the club. It’s a family and I want to contribute to that. Off the field, I’m in a little village near the training ground. It sort of reminds me of home, that’s what it was like growing up. I’m a country boy.” Questioned about where he wants to be in five year’s time, Collyer replied, “Everyone wants to play for Man United. That’s my main goal, but if not, just be playing in the Premier League as an established player.” United arrival Collyer joined United in 2022 from Brighton and Hove Albion, putting pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal. United opted to sign Collyer after a successful trial. He impressed in a friendly against Huddersfield Town, convincing the Red Devils to snap him up. He worked his way up in the youth ranks before going on to become a first-team member under Erik ten Hag. Collyer said of how his move to United got over the line, “The England coach, Justin Cochrane. My first experience with him was with England’s under-15s. I went for a couple of training sessions, then training camps and he liked me. We won one of the tournaments, a UEFA development competition, beating Spain. Then Covid happened and I didn’t have that much to do with England in the under-17s.” “It was my first proper year at Brighton, then Justin joined United and suggested it would be right step for me to join United. Justin had a massive impact on my career. I noticed how driven he was from his sessions where he had an ability to get the best out of every player.” “I was shocked when I heard ‘Man United’ but he said, ‘Come over, do three or four days just training. It’s not a trial’. I went and did a couple of training sessions with the 23s. Players like Zidane Iqbal, Charlie Savage and Hannibal Mejbri. I enjoyed it and decided to make the move.” He added, “Big change. I moved to digs in Sale. I was on my own which I enjoyed with my own space. Lived with a good family. There were times where I thought, ‘Shall I move out, sort of get my own place?’ But I enjoyed it. I was training with the 21s under Mark Dempsey and had a few injury setbacks to do with growing out, a couple of stress fractures. That wasn’t easy to handle, but luckily, it’s all good now.” “Dave Hughes was a coach, Travis Binnion overlooked everything. It was a good first season for my development. I played different positions and had more opportunities where they could ask something different from me on the pitch.” “Whereas at Brighton, I was predominantly just a ‘six’. At United I could see the game differently and what I could offer. Then, going into the second season we played Wrexham pre-season in San Diego, my first experience around a proper crowd, maybe 30,000.” “I started the game; I trained with the first team. It was a real booster. By February (2024) I was with the first team every day.” On how Ten Hag handled him, Collyer divulged, “Good. He recognised my biggest strengths and tried to help me put myself in situations where I’d utilise them: my ability off the ball, timing of runs. I’m good at making corner runs. Pre-season out in LA (in 2023), Erik gave me the freedom to go forward more and make those runs. I was taking each game as it came, showing myself to hopefully get a decent exposure. I never looked too far ahead, just tried to get as many minutes as possible.” “I played in SoFi Stadium vs Arsenal, an incredible experience, my first proper first-team game where I was getting a feel for the tempo, even though it was pre-season. I was up against (Martin) Odegaard. Tough. I managed to get the better of him a couple of times, but he’s an amazing player, so clever. He’d drag you into areas you don’t want to go, so you’d pick and choose when to go and when not to and you can’t always get it right every time.” “I was settled at United. Good mates with Ayden (Heaven) when he came in, another southerner. I was also sat next to Eriksen, Chris. Big help to me. Him, Tom Heaton, Harry (Maguire) and Jonny Evans. They were the first ones to properly help me when I first went across and made me feel welcome.” “Chris was good because he plays in my position as well. His technique is unbelievable. There was one time when he, I and Harry Amass were taking free kicks. He was trying to tell me what this technique was. I was like, I haven’t got a clue how to do this. It just shows how good he is.” Collyer made his official senior United debut in August 2024, coming on as a 59th-minute substitute in the FA Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley. In doing so, he became the 251st academy graduate to line up for the senior side. Feature image George Wood via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
“Clarity is important”: Carrick breaks silence on his wait to find out about permanent United role
Michael Carrick will take his Manchester United side to Sunderland on Saturday chasing a third-place finish in the Premier League. In advance of the game, the interim manager spoke to the media and was asked about a number of key issues. Any news on the permanent job? The first question was: “With Champions League qualification secured and the implication that that can have on recruitment through the summer, I just wonder now, how quickly is clarity needed and what clarity is needed on your own future at the club?” Carrick replied: “Clarity is important. I think moving forward, it’s come right at the end of the season where I think we finished strong, put ourselves in a good position, and obviously the situation of of my role and what it looks like moving forward, I think it’s just the natural time. It was always spoke about towards the end of the season, if not the end of the season. So nothing’s really changed, to be honest.” “Why hasn’t it changed though?”, the reporter asked. “I’m just thinking because you have got that Champions League qualification sorted out now.” The boss answered: “Yeah, we have, but it’s a matter of days ago and we’ve got eyes on finishing the season strongly as well. So I understand the question. I understand the timing of it. But from my point of view, right at this stage, it’s just putting the boys in a place to finish the season strongly. And then, as I’ve said all along, and I’m calm about it, it’ll get sorted out when it’s going to get sorted out. Some of it’s out of my hands, so we’ll see what happens.” The follow-up question was: “Do you have a view of what happens further down the line though? Because I’m thinking Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville were debating the other night who has the brighter future, and the point was raised that the squad now has to deal with playing games every 3 or 4 days. So what work do you feel is perhaps needed on the squad, or is it well equipped enough at the moment to deal with that jump in in the schedule that they will face next season?” He responded: “Yeah, there’s definitely different challenges within that. Largely the boys are used to playing more games than we have done over a period of time, over a number of years, and I think this has been a little bit unique in many ways of not being in the cup competitions and extended period of no games and things, and we’ve had to adjust a little bit, so there’s going to be certainly be a change and a shift with it.” “I think that’s just part of the evolving the squad and growing the squad and a little bit more experience, some younger players, more experienced, and it’ll be a natural step to take that one. And as a club, we’ll face that and face it head-on.” On the Youth Cup final The next question was “You played in a Youth Cup final, you played at West Ham’s ground, you played at Coventry’s ground. What’s your view of what’s happened this week? Because a lot of people seem to be quite upset that the Youth Cup final is not being played in the main stadium.” The boss replied: “Yeah, I’m disappointed, to be honest. I think getting to the Youth Cup final always, or seems to have always been, a thing where you play at the main stadium, and it’s such a showcase event for players of that age group. And so we’re disappointed. I think I’ve had some amazing memories, some of our best memories in that competition of playing with your close mates. And it’s a shame that it hasn’t worked out for whatever reason.” “But for the boys to go there, it’s a fantastic game. It’s a great opportunity. I’m sure the game itself will be good, and I’m looking forward to going and watching and supporting the boys.” Aguero Day Carrick was then asked whether the trip to Sunderland was reminiscent of “Aguero day” – when City first won the league as United stood in front of jeering Sunderland fans. “Yeah, I can remember that. Yeah, I’ve not forgot it. Obviously, it was a one-off kind of feeling and it wasn’t during the game. It wasn’t until after the game. I was kind of didn’t really know exactly where the land was lying at that point. So it wasn’t until we walked towards the edge of the pitch, and we had to deal with what was thrown at us, so it’s in the past, but it definitely sticks in the memory.” What message was he giving to the team now that there is little to play for? “Pride, responsibility, playing for this great club;” he answered. “Great supporters. Really good togetherness within the group as well and it’s about improving and revolving all the time as well. So, as I said, over the last week, so in terms of the Champions League, it’s a step. It’s a really good step. That’s not the end. That’s not the end at all.” “So we want to keep improving. We want to finish strong, you know, and understanding there’s a little bit of a feeling of games to go, and it does get right to the end of it, of maybe it does change slightly, but it doesn’t, in terms of us preparing for the game and wanting to do well and whoever plays, play well, and try and win the game.” Would he be giving fringe players a chance? “I think every player in the squad has been absolutely fantastic, I have to say. Yep, some have played a lot more than others, and I understand from a professional in a plain point of view, it can be difficult, but the togetherness and the support that the plays have shown is great to see. It’s what we need, you know, within the group, and that’s part of the challenge of doing a lot of training and not having as many games as we would have liked.” “It was, is the balance that we’ve had to kind of make the most of really. So yeah, coming into these games, it’s something we’re aware of. I think it’s something that we’re really keen on playing well and still trying to get good results as well though, but it’s definitely something to be aware of.” Saturday’s game What does he expect from a Sunderland side with little to play for? “They’ve got an awful lot to play for,” the manager replied. “I think it’s very tight. I think, is it 6th to 12th maybe? It’s really, really tight, 3, 4 points, so I think they’ve got a lot to play for and they’ve had a fantastic season. Not easy to come and get promoted and just to stay in the league first and foremost has proven difficult over recent times, but to be in the top half and to be within touching distance of getting in Europe as well is full credit to the season that they’ve had.” Back to the Youth Cup final “Just one on the Youth Cup final that was mentioned there,” a reporter interjected. “It’s gonna be less than 1,000 United fans there. There was 67,000 last time we were in the Youth Cup final. A great experience for the players. Is that something that should be looked at again, could be looked at again, or..:” “Yeah, I was at that game, I was at the Forest game,” Carrick answered. “So, special, special night, you know, to, to see the stadium full for a game like that, it was kind of what you’d hope really for that. But it is what it is, and there’s nothing from what I know that can be done about it, it’s kind of agreed, and hopefully as years go by then it can be flipped into the main stadiums.” How would things change under Carrick next season? The final question was: “How differently would you operate, or could you operate, if you got the job full-time here? Are there certain things that maybe you could do if you’re a full-time manager that you can’t do if you’re an interim manager?” The Wallsend man replied: “It’s a good question. I’ve said from the start though that I’ve never approached a day here in terms of any short-term decisions. Whether that’s different from the outlook of others, I don’t know, but from mine and the staff, I think we’ve definitely made decisions for the longer term for the group. Individually as players and how we treat them and try to help develop them, the squad. So I don’t think really it would change the approach for how I’ve tried to go about things.” “Again, I understand that it might be for other people looking towards me maybe, or towards us, whether that’s players, whether that’s supporters, whether that’s you lot sitting here. I don’t know how that changes, but maybe we’ll get to see, I don’t know. But certainly from my point of view, I think I’ve done it, gone about it in a way that I feel is the right way to do it.” The embargoed section of the press conference will be released on Friday at 10.30pm. The Peoples Person will bring you every word, shortly afterwards. Featured image Warren Little via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Red Billy Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and two magazines and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy first saw United live in 1971, watching George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, before becoming a League Match ticket book holder from 1975/76 and a writer since 1995. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
INEOS confirm major United director exit with further huge decisions to be made at the club – report
The INEOS-led revolution at Old Trafford has not been as smooth sailing as Sir Jim Ratcliffe would have hoped for, with a raft of contentious decisions plaguing their time in control of the sporting structure at the club. INEOS undoubtedly walked into a mess at the Theatre of Dreams but, despite the initial warm welcome, they have managed to turn a good portion of United fans against them since their minority takeover in 2024. Originally, Sir Dave Brailsford was set up as Ratcliffe’s right-hand man, with his experience in sporting excellence in cycling hoped to translate seamlessly into the football world. However, this was not the case, with Brailsford struggling to transfer his skills and Ratcliffe having to turn to external help to build his crack team behind the scenes. Officially out of the door It was recently reported that Brailsford was stepping back from his role at Old Trafford, leaving Omar Berrada to step into his shoes after joining from neighbours Manchester City. Now, as reported by The Mirror, Brailsford’s exit has been officially confirmed by INEOS, who have announced a staffing restructure with the cycling guru no longer listed as a director at United. Despite it being widely acknowledged that Brailsford diluted his influence at Old Trafford a year or so ago, his resignation date from the club is listed as 30 April 2026. However, his year in situ will go down as one of the worst in United’s modern history, with the team finishing fifteenth in the Premier League – their lowest ever position since the rebrand of the English top flight. The loss in the Europa League final underlined a horrific first year of INEOS at United. They oversaw a managerial debacle that ended with Erik ten Hag leaving months too late and his replacement, Ruben Amorim, ultimately failing in spectacular fashion. Controversial cutbacks at the club in the early months of the INEOS takeover also had Brailsford’s paw prints on them, only adding to the discontent. Such outcomes left little doubt a reshuffle was needed in the sporting structure, and the 62-year-old was an early casualty of the required changes. Berrada in control Omar Berrada now looks like the main man at Old Trafford after seeing off both Dan Ashworth and Brailsford to emerge as the most influential member of the backroom staff. United have enjoyed a fine first half of 2026, and their form since the turn of the year under the guidance of Michael Carrick has seen them seal their return to Champions League football and remain on course for an impressive third-place finish. However, Berrada and his team now face undoubtedly their biggest summer to date, with the decision on the head coach crucial to defining their stint at the club. Should United get the decision wrong on the boss, there will be increased scrutiny on INEOS, who are arguably yet to get a high-profile call right in the eyes of the supporters. Furthermore, the playing staff need improvements in both quality and quantity if United are to repeat their strong league form next year in a campaign in which they will be expected to go further in cup competitions and deal with the demands of European football. A strong end to the season could leave Berrarda with only one decision to make, and Carrick will be desperate to win his final three games and complete an audition that could not have gone much better for the former United midfielder. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Conner Botterill Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for three years. A lifelong red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology through the Open University. His favourite match attended was the unforgettable night in Paris in 2019 under the guidance of one of his idols, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
“Wasn’t having him one bit!”: United star details how teammate responded to “big shock” under Amorim
Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer has revealed how Casemiro responded to Ruben Amorim picking him over the Brazilian star. Setback After Amorim took over from Erik ten Hag, he initially didn’t fancy Casemiro and often left the veteran out of his starting XIs. At one point, Collyer found himself above Casemiro in the pecking order, as Amorim himself later confirmed to reporters. But Casemiro worked his way back and eventually made himself indispensable to the Portuguese coach and the team. By the time Amorim was sacked, Casemiro was almost undroppable – a trend that has carried forward under interim head coach Michael Carrick. Casemiro is set to depart United at the end of the season when his contract expires, and there have been calls from fans for him to stay for at least another year. However, he recently confirmed that there is no chance of a U-turn. Collyer, currently on loan at Hull City, spoke to The Athletic’s Andy Mitten and revealed his admiration for Casemiro. Collyer also detailed how Casemiro responded to the early setbacks under Amorim. Collyer opens up on Casemiro Asked who stood out in first-team training, the United academy graduate told The Athletic, “In terms of ability, Bruno (Fernandes). Some of the stuff he does in training would have me thinking, ‘That’s not normal, I don’t understand it’. Obviously, he’s clever, but he does turns where he just finds a pass out of nowhere. It’s incredible.” “Casemiro was a big role model too, a player I looked up to. These past four years, being around him, just watching him and seeing the little things he does. First into training, ultra professional. He’s always observing. People say he’s a warrior off the ball because he reads the game so well, but on the ball he’s exceptional as well with that one-touch around-the-corner pass. He leads by example.” Collyer added, “Casemiro has been there and done it. When Ruben (Amorim) first came in, he wasn’t having him one bit. I was playing over Caza. I was just focused on my football.” “I was still obviously speaking to Caza in training. He was still helping me. His English has got a lot better. He was still training very well, and I think he’s a great example because people on the outside don’t see that.” “When he’s not playing, it’s easy for people to think, ‘Oh, he’s probably not doing well in training’. But he wasn’t. He was giving everything every day.” “He was the first one in every day. Even when he wasn’t getting picked, he was one of the last ones to leave. He was always in the ice bath, jacuzzi, always doing his gym work, always doing his prep, always giving everything in training. And you could see he was trying to implement what the manager wanted as well.” “Even so he wasn’t playing, so from me seeing that I could take so much from that. He’s been there and done that. Not getting picked was probably a big shock for him, maybe something he hasn’t experienced. For him to obviously carry on and keep doing the right things just shows how much of a pro he is.” “With me, he’d just call you over and explain things. That’s why I think I look up to him so much. There are players who are looked up to and then when other players are with them, their views change, but my views on Casemiro haven’t changed.” United are next in action on Saturday when they go away to Sunderland. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
United should use this weapon to win key battle against Sunderland and secure a wonderful third place finish
Manchester United travel to the North East on Saturday for a rare 3pm kick-off as Michael Carrick’s men face a tough test against Regis Le Bris’s impressive Sunderland side. The home side have enjoyed a fine return to the top flight of English football and could still finish the season in a European place should they end the campaign strongly and other result go their way. United make the trip knowing they have secured their place back in the Champions League for the first time in three years, but Carrick will want to secure third position in the Premier League and hammer home the fine job he has done since taking over in January. Sunderland’s home form has been a major factor in them comfortably securing their top flight status, and despite a recent dip at the Stadium of Light, United will have to be at their best to get maximum points. Power in the ranks Le Bris has built a side tailor-made for the Premier League with a powerful spine led by the experienced Granit Xhaka, who has been a standout on his return to the English game. United will have to win the battle in the middle of the park to overhaul the Swiss international and get control of proceedings early doors in what is sure to be a red-hot atmosphere from the kick-off. Centre-forward Brian Brobbey is another with the ability to hurt United, given his strength and determination to fight for every ball. The home side will not be shy in throwing balls up to the big Dutchman and feeding off the scraps he can create through sheer brute force at times. Brobbey has six goals for the season and will be desperate to add another against a side he could have joined in Erik ten Hag’s spell in charge at Old Trafford. The 24-year-old will also play a huge role in bringing Sunderland’s wide men into play, who are dangerous and will also be keen to impress against United. Harry Maguire will no doubt be tasked with winning the Brobbey battle, and coming out on top in these individual duels will be key to United settling things down and securing the points. Attacking flair Since improving their attacking options last summer, United have only failed to score in three games this season and are yet to go without a goal in any game since Carrick’s arrival. Therefore, confidence will be high for notching a goal or two on Saturday, and Bruno Fernandes will no doubt play a huge role in creating chances, as he has done since the start of the campaign. With the influential Dan Ballard missing for the hosts, Benjamin Sesko will surely be licking his lips here, and United should not be afraid of lofting balls into the box for the big Slovenian. Given Ballard’s absence, Sesko should look to take advantage of a weaker Sunderland centre-back pairing and use his strength in the air to get himself add to his goal contributions for the season. With Fernandes likely to drift out to the right to cause damage, Luke Shaw should have the space on the opposite side of the pitch to loft balls into Sesko, who can go for goal or nod back into threatening areas for the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to finish. Carrick classics As ever with Carrick, United will set up with their tried and tested 4-2-3-1, which will give them the chance for lightning-quick counters used to such great effect since the turn of the year. United do prefer to move through the lines quickly, and with the pace they possess in attacking areas, don’t be surprised to see the visitors use the counter-attack to their advantage on Saturday. Given the powerful nature of both sides, set pieces are also likely to play a huge role in the outcome, and United boast a fantastic record from dead ball situations this season. Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Sesko are all strong in the air, and with Fernandes on the verge of breaking the Premier League assist record, expect the visitors to be as dangerous as ever from set pieces in and around the Sunderland box, particularly in Ballard’s absence. Final thoughts Despite Sunderland’s fine home record overall, they have endured some eye-catching struggles in recent weeks – none more so than the 0-5 hammering by Nottingham Forest at the Stadium of Light last week. Therefore, if United can get through the opening exchanges unscathed, they will fancy their chances of leaving Wearside with three points should they remain vigilant and concentrated throughout – something they almost fell foul of against Liverpool last weekend. There are no airs and graces about Le Bris’s team, and if United have designs on securing third place, they will first need to stand up to the fight of the home side before the superior quality in their ranks can take over to win the game. Winning the physical battle is key to this assignment, and no doubt Carrick will be briefing his troops for what will be a tough but hopefully fruitful afternoon to further enhance his chances of securing the head coach role on a permanent basis. Featured image by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Conner Botterill Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for three years. A lifelong red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology through the Open University. His favourite match attended was the unforgettable night in Paris in 2019 under the guidance of one of his idols, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
“Sometimes in football…”: Berbatov urges United to make “logical” managerial decision
Manchester United are preparing to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, 9 May, in the Premier League. A win this weekend could all but confirm the Red Devils’ position in third place in the league table this season. That would mark a significant improvement from the 15th-placed finish under former head coach Ruben Amorim last season. The Portuguese was removed from his position in January this year following an indifferent 14-month spell, with Michael Carrick taking over as caretaker manager. The Englishman’s arrival sparked the team back into life, and inspired a blistering run of 10 wins and two draws in 14 games. That has turned United’s season around and also strengthened the case for Carrick to be appointed as permanent manager. The Red Devils are expected to make a decision on the permanent appointment at the end of this season. Former United forward Dimitar Berbatov has now explained why United must continue with the English manager next season. The logical decision Speaking to The Athletic, Berbatov acknowledged that handing Carrick the full-time job appears to be the logical decision, but warned that logic does not always work in football. He said: “United were in a bad situation before, now we are third, and we are going to qualify for the Champions League.” “So if that’s not Michael Carrick and his team doing the right job, I don’t know what it is. So I truly hope that whoever needs to decide their next coach says, ‘Michael, you’ve done a terrific job, pulled us out of a difficult situation, and you deserve to continue’. I mean, that’s logical thinking. But sometimes in football, logic is not present.” Berbatov and Carrick shared the pitch on 104 occasions during their playing careers with United, even contributing four goals together. Communication is key Carrick has managed to extract the most out of a squad that appeared out of ideas under Amorim. Berbatov went on to suggest that communication may have played a key role in United’s rise, adding: “The players are the same from Amorim, but you can see the clear difference in how the team is playing.” “Sometimes it’s not even about tactics; it’s about the manager’s ability to communicate with the players. When you’re talking about big teams, it usually means big players with big egos, so you need to know how to speak with them. You need to know how to put your message into them so they can put it onto the pitch.” “Sometimes, these players just need to know that you believe in them and give them the freedom to do what they need to do on the pitch. You know this is also about conversation, dialogues between each other. Casemiro has won five Champions Leagues — he knows how to boss a midfield. Just go out there and do your job.” “You have managers who understand man-management, how to speak with you differently, because everybody is different. That’s exactly what United needed, and Michael has produced it.” Michael Carrick Managerial Career Stats TeamFromToGames PlayedGames WonGames DrawnGames LostWin % Manchester United (caretaker)21 November 20212 December 2021321066.7% Middlesbrough24 October 20224 June 202513663244946.3% Manchester United13 January 2026Present14102271.4% Source: Wikipedia. Final Thoughts With every passing day, it looks increasingly likely that Carrick will remain in the hot seat at Old Trafford beyond this summer. With experienced managers like Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique and Thomas Tuchel unavailable, perhaps the Englishman is the perfect candidate for the job. Michael Carrick has done an incredible job at @ManUtd 👏 No side has taken more points since he returned to Old Trafford in January 🔝 pic.twitter.com/c6quPbeXv9 — Premier League (@premierleague) May 3, 2026 Featured image by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
