Manchester United's own incompetence has led to a remarkable situation: the club has made Michael Carrick both absolutely sackable and completely untouchable at the same time. What a week it has been.
A path of triumph amid others' woes: Bournemouth
Bournemouth seemed to play almost unnoticed — at least, it was tricky to find a full account of their match or even a direct confirmation of the result against the backdrop of general happenings. Perhaps the Cherries were occupied like everyone else, watching Manchester United succumb 0-3 to existential dread.
The Cherries likely aren't too disheartened that their victory became only the eighth most significant topic for discussion alongside Old Trafford. It's nothing new to them: they secured a 3-0 win in three of their last four visits to that stadium, with another match ending in a thrilling 4-4 draw. There was Gary Neville, delivering his grim monologue on how we’re discussing a football club called Manchester United, all the while Bournemouth players celebrated in the away dressing room.
But the team deserves some recognition, which as they know, probably won’t come. In just four days, Bournemouth beat both Milan and Manchester United — two clubs with 10 European Cup titles between them — with a total score of 6-0. They’ve netted 11 goals since conceding their last one. Evanilson is like a reborn Roberto Firmino, Lewis Cook is on a diet of Alex Scott, and Adam Smith will be playing right-back through the end of days. It’s a remarkable turnaround after a defeat to Chelsea when the club's prospects looked especially bleak. Focus was on Chelsea’s superiority, and now it’s on Manchester United’s helplessness. That’s the burden Premier League underdogs must carry. Still, Bournemouth wouldn’t mind reveling in their best-ever unbeaten streak.
Success for the pursuers and triumph for rivals
Arsenal achieved a solid victory, with both centre-backs getting on the scoresheet: one scored a scruffy effort from a corner while the other finished off a move assisted by a partner who’s made the switch from centre-back to wing-back. Mikel Arteta earned himself a yellow card for straying from his technical area, after which he claimed he’s compiling a dossier on coaches who get away with similar antics.
Aston Villa remain a perennial nightmare for the league leaders: they haven’t lost in their last four home matches against top-tier sides, winning three of them. They sit second in the Champions League table with a perfect record after three games and are the only team to have beaten Manchester City in the Premier League since January. They have made Manchester United look longingly towards the 'best manager in the league', effectively navigating the traditional autumn slump and looking stronger than before, especially with Nicolas Jackson in the ranks.
Tottenham served up 90 minutes of exhilarating football that should typify their expensive squad. One modest chronicler gushed over the pure power of provocation from Mateus Fernandes.
Newcastle found their calming presence in Dan Burn amidst harsh conditions. His first start of the season coincided with the team's most convincing defensive performance, aided by Crystal Palace's ongoing ineptitude. Will Osula and Harvey Barnes are still the top finishers for the Magpies, getting the most out of their chances to start rebuilding faith under Mattias Jaissle.
Oscar Bobb waited over 1,000 days for his second Premier League goal after describing his debut strike as “the dream of a lifetime.” The wait was long, with Josh King providing the assist instead of Kevin De Bruyne. Nevertheless, his career catalogue is filling with highlights. Bobb remains the most expensive January signing yet to score in the league for his club, costing Fulham about three times more than what Bournemouth paid for Alex Scott. His moment in a goalless draw came just right.
Andoni Iraola, in just eight matches in charge of Liverpool, has done what only Arsenal managed last season — beat Brighton, Brentford, and Bournemouth. His team hasn’t lost in normal time with 11 players on the field since January 3, as the Spaniard has quietly transformed the Merseysiders into a tougher and more tenacious outfit. Ronald Araújo is already among Liverpool's greatest rentals, while Exequiel Palacios plays like Esteban Cambiasso, bringing Ipswich hopes for the future.
The underside of a crisis: Manchester United and Carrick's deadlock
Those misfiring executives in charge of appointing Michael Carrick perhaps underestimated his link with fans just as much as they miscalculated their managerial talents. Carrick is the complete opposite of a scapegoat or a face to be used by INEOS for some cheap nostalgia. His reputation among supporters has only strengthened in this dreadful season.
The swift change in mood from the stands as Carrick disappeared down the tunnel at Old Trafford on Sunday was striking. The manager was greeted with praise and chants of his song after the 0-3 defeat, yet the moment he was out of sight, players faced a storm of fury. Carrick has become a welcome distraction, preventing an already toxic atmosphere from turning into a catastrophe. Most fans understand he’s out of his depth, but for them, Carrick embodies the identity that INEOS and the Glazers have shattered.
In this respect, he is arguably the most sackable yet simultaneously untouchable manager in Premier League history. One win in 10 matches across three competitions leaves little hope in ordinary circumstances, but if the situation was toxic after the defeat to Bournemouth, it’s frightening to consider the level of fury aimed at players, owners, and directors if they close the door on the one person the stands feel a mental connection with.
Rivals' woes: Chelsea's red cards and leaders' errors
Chelsea have plunged into yet another spiral of mental collapse. After recent glimpses of form in matches, they hit a new low in discipline, issuing a red card to their 11th unique player since the start of the 2025/2026 season. Now the Londoners can only field a viable starting XI made up of players who’ve received red cards in the past 18 months: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Trevo Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, and Joao Pedro.
Meanwhile, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marc Guehi continue to top the unwanted list for the most errors leading to goals. Defensive mistakes by players and keepers remain a systemic headache for Enzo Maresca, who will need to seek urgent solutions.
