Man Utd information: £37m star sends message as ace given new position – ‘I’ve to do one thing’
Manchester United are set to return to Premier League action against Tottenham this weekend, as Michael Carrick looks to end his side’s poor run of form
Michael Carrick knows Manchester United must improve after the international break
Manchester United will be hoping to arrest their slump when they face Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford this weekend.
As the seemingly never-ending but eventful international break finally draws to a close, Michael Carrick is preparing to face the struggling side who are bottom of the Premier League on Saturday evening.
His own Red Devils are languishing in 12th place in the table after a disappointing 1-1 draw away at Fulham last time out, just four days after their shocking Carabao Cup third round defeat to Brighton. But Spurs could be the perfect opponents to get back on track with a morale-boosting victory. Here’s all the all the latest news from Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick will be desperate to improve Manchester United’s form after the international break(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Fernandes’ new role
Bruno Fernandes not only captained Portugal to a 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence, but the 32-year-old was also deployed in a new position.
National team manager Jorge Jesus chose to utilise the creative midfielder in a left attacking role instead of his usual central position.
He was deployed wide in a 4-1-3-2 formation, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha assuming the playmaker role, reports the Mirror. Despite Fernandes’ unfamiliarity with the role, the United captain remained a key figure in Portugal’s four Nations League triumphs.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes
He successfully completed all four of his long passes and boasted an 85% passing success rate, making six final third passes, before being replaced by former Arsenal star Nuno Tavares in the 90th minute.
United legend Ronaldo, meanwhile, will reportedly refuse to return while Jesus remains in charge, after walking out when left on the bench against Norway for the full 90 minutes.
Portuguese journalist Rui Santos told CNN Portugal: “He reportedly vented that he will not return to the national team, at least while Jorge Jesus is in technical command.”
Zirkzee’s confession
Joshua Zirkzee has been a £37m flop at Old Trafford(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has confessed that he needs to up his game to persuade Michael Carrick to grant him more playing time.
The Dutch star was a last-minute addition to the national squad following Brian Bobbey’s injury against Germany, and he managed to score in their 2-1 victory over Serbia on Sunday.
The 25-year-old last represented his country in 2024 and admitted that getting the call from Netherlands manager Xavi was unexpected, considering he’s only clocked up 70 minutes of play for United this season.
“At the moment, that means I am mainly coming on as a substitute,” Zirkzee told ESPN regarding his competition at United.
“And in the end, I have to do something about that myself, even if it isn’t easy. Even so, it was still quite a big surprise that the coach called me up.”
He has scored just nine goals in 79 appearances for United following his £37m move from Bologna under Erik ten Hag in 2024.
