UNITED COACH CARRICK MUST OUTSMART MANCHESTER RIVALS CITY IN FIRST GAME

MICHAEL Carrick takes charge of Manchester United for the first time at 2.30pm on Saturday, stepping into the dugout for the Manchester derby at Old Trafford with a mandate to arrest a familiar mid-season slide.

United sit seventh, with one win in six league games, and last week’s FA Cup exit deepened the gloom.

Yet Carrick’s appointment, following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, offers a tentative reset and chance to restore belief.

His baptism of fire comes against Pep Guardiola, whose Manchester City span remain second, six points behind leaders Arsenal, despite a frustrating run of three straight league draws. The derby arrives at a crossroads for both clubs, blending uncertainty with opportunity.

United have reasons to be encouraged. Harry Maguire is fit again, while Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo return from Africa Cup of Nations duty, boosting a squad that has recently looked thin and short of options. Carrick’s task is to bring cohesion and resilience against a kwaai team.

City travel across town with momentum, building in Cup competitions and a new talking point in January signing Antoine Semenyo.

The forward has scored twice in two appearances and already earned his own chant, adding a streak of unpredictability to Guardiola’s usually precise system.

Weekend’s Premier League fixtures:

Saturday: Sunderland v Palace, Chelsea v Brentford, Liverpool v Burnley, Spurs v West Ham, Leeds v Fulham (all 5pm), Forest v Arsenal (7.30pm)

Sunday: Wolves v Newcastle (4pm), Villa v Everton (6.30pm)