Manchester United Say Michael Carrick's Job Is Safe "At This Stage" Despite Contact With Antonio Conte
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Manchester United have told staff they have "no concerns" about Michael Carrick's position "at this stage," according to reports following the club's 1-1 draw with Fulham, even as the club has made initial contact with Antonio Conte to assess his availability as a potential replacement. Carrick's start to the season has included Premier League defeats to Hull City and Manchester City and a Carabao Cup exit to Brighton, leaving his position described as "far from secure" despite the reassurance.
Liverpool's top Premier League scorer Alexander Isak has returned from international duty with Sweden carrying a minor thigh problem, after scoring in Sweden's 2-1 win over Romania before being withdrawn. Sweden manager Graham Potter said the issue is "nothing serious" but that the number of matches in a short period ruled him out of continuing with the squad; Liverpool's medical staff are assessing him, with the club hopeful he will be fit for their return to Premier League action against Manchester City on 11 October.
Conte, who has been out of work since leaving Napoli after winning Serie A and the Italian Super Cup last season, previously managed Chelsea to the Premier League title in 2016-17 and later spent two years in charge of Tottenham between 2021 and 2023.
Transfer and squad notes
Should Isak be unable to recover in time for Liverpool's return fixture, Cody Gakpo and Lewis Koumas are the players in line for increased opportunities up front, according to reports on the club's squad options.
What it means for the league
Manchester United's public reassurance over Carrick reads as a holding position rather than a resolution, with the club having already lined up its preferred alternative in Conte should results fail to improve once the Premier League resumes. Isak's injury, however minor it proves to be, is a reminder of how thin the margins are for Liverpool at the top of the table, given his early-season scoring form has been central to their start. Both situations are likely to come into sharper focus once domestic football returns in mid-October.