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Carrick steps into Man Utd pressure cooker
Saturday Star
|January 17, 2026
MICHAEL Carrick has the chance to make a fine first impression during his short-term stint as Manchester United manager by derailing local rivals Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge tomorrow.
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MICHAEL Carrick will take charge of Manchester United when they host rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford tomorrow.
(AFP)
City have the opportunity to cut the gap on leaders Arsenal to three points at Old Trafford, while United desperately need the points to boost their chances of Champions League football next season. At the other end of the table, Tottenham's Thomas Frank and West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo are fighting to save their jobs as their sides clash in a high-stakes London derby.
Carrick faces a true baptism of fire with the Premier League's top two teams serving as the opponents for his first two matches in charge. “It’s what we live for — big games,” Carrick said ahead of the derby.
This story is from the January 17, 2026 edition of Saturday Star.
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