Michael Carrick has been granted a stay of execution but will the beleaguered Manchester United manager survive a vital trip to Chelsea? Arsenal face a significant test of their Premier League title defence at Liverpool, while Manchester City meet Brighton for the second time in four days. AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of this weekend’s action:
But with captain Bruno Fernandes dropped last weekend after criticising Carrick’s tactics and defender Lisandro Martinez fined for blasting the club’s transfer policy, Carrick’s side are far from united.
City boss Maresca is a big fan of Fabian Hurzeler’s third-placed team and he is well aware of the danger they pose to the Premier League leaders in the rematch in Manchester on Saturday. The Premier League champions were so far below their best that it was hard to believe this was the same team that stormed to the title last term and looked hungry to retain the crown in the opening weeks of this season. A victory at Anfield would restore Arsenal’s belief and captain Martin Odegaard called on his team-mates to show their character against fourth-placed Liverpool, who can move within three points of the Gunners if they win this weekend’s marquee match-up. “They are in a brilliant moment.
Enzo Maresca has warned his Manchester City stars they will face a “brilliant” Brighton side fuelled by a desire to avenge their League Cup exit. They are winning games, they are scoring many goals every game,” Maresca said.
