Chelsea v Manchester United buildup, Premier League, WSL and more – matchday live

“It’s not always rosy and nice conversations,” Michael Carrick said on Thursday as he reflected on a difficult week at United amid speculation over his future and the general state of the club.

United have gone eight games without a win after their worst league start in 40 years. They are 16th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone. Carrick suggested he had held talks with Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada this week …

It’s pretty clear, it’s not always rosy and nice conversations between anyone, whether that’s between me and the players, whether that’s between me, Jason, Omar or the owners.

It’s the truth, it’s the hard truth at times and it’s what we need to move forward. Whatever we need to move forward, we will do.

On the reception he was given – and the boos his players received – at Old Trafford following defeat to Bournemouth last Sunday, Carrick said …

I’ll be totally honest, it was mixed feelings for me. To have the appreciation from the supporters and that connection and that respect is something I feel strongly about.

It wasn’t a nice situation but to feel that was important, of course, but it didn’t make me feel better in the fact that I’m with the players 100% and we’re all in it together. I’ve told the players that, I’m happy to say that.

Manchester United: What’s gone on this week? Well, you would have got long odds on Michael Carrick being in the dugout at Stamford Bridge when he trudged down the tunnel at Old Trafford last weekend.

Monday: The powers that be at Carrington – the immensely popular Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada – hold talks over Carrick’s future. Carrick attends an under-21s match at the training ground.

Tuesday: Wilcox decides to give Carrick a chance to turn things around. Bruno Fernandes holds clear-the-air talks with Carrick after sitting out the defeat to Bournemouth. Eddie Howe emerges as United’s prime candidate if Carrick is sacked.

Thursday: Carrick says he will not strip Fernandes of the captaincy and says he is not surprised to have kept his job as head coach. “Between us, we’ve got to make a difference and push things in a good direction,” Carrick says.

Should Fernandes return to the United lineup at Chelsea today? If he does, he’ll lead them out as captain.

A series of suspicious bets that correctly predicted the exact top-five finishing order of this year’s Ballon d’Or and generated almost $200,000 (£149,000) in winnings is being investigated by the event’s organisers, France Football, who have also contacted the police.

It has been alleged that 12 Polymarket accounts – an American cryptocurrency-based prediction market – placed the bets, with more than $264,000 wagered on the outcome before Monday’s ceremony. Their extraordinary accuracy has raised serious questions about a potential leak of confidential results before football’s most prestigious individual award.

Harry Kane was crowned the winner at the ceremony at the London Palladium, finishing ahead of Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi. Remarkably, this was the exact order predicted by the group of accounts identified in French media outlet Upside’s investigation.

Aston Villa have announced plans to take legal action against Jamie Carragher following his “unacceptable insults” about the club and its supporters.

Carragher told Villa fans to “shut the f*** up” after facing criticism for suggesting Unai Emery should consider taking the Manchester United job. Villa responded on Friday evening with a statement on X signed by their chair, Nassef Sawiris.

“Aston Villa will initiate legal action against Jamie Carragher for his unacceptable insults about the club and its fans,” the statement said. “Aston Villa will not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football. Nassef Sawiris, chairman.”

There are a couple of news lines to bring you before we take a look at today’s fixtures.

Hello and welcome to Matchday Live on a bumper day in the Premier League. I’ll be bringing you the latest news and buildup to eight top-flight games, with Chelsea v Manchester United on the menu at lunchtime. Michael Carrick lives to fight another day in the United dugout and so does Bruno Fernandes as captain after clear-the-air talks took place this week. We shall have to wait and see if Fernandes returns to the XI. Chelsea and Xabi Alonso could really do with a result after their poor display against Tottenham.

Elsewhere, there are five 3pm kick-offs including Manchester City v Brighton (again) and the basement battle between Coventry (19th) and Sunderland (20th). Plus there is a first game in charge of Championship Burnley for Fabio Celestini for the visit of Portsmouth to Turf Moor. It really starts to get spooky after dark as Spurs host Crystal Palace and Aston Villa face Fulham.

Two of British football’s grand old grounds host action as Everton take on Manchester United at Goodison in the WSL and Rangers face Aberdeen in the men’s Scottish League Cup semis at Hampden. Fleetwood, if anyone is asking, are at home to Bristol Rovers in League Two. Oh, and it’s Der Klassiker in Germany as Bayern Munich (and Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane) host Borussia Dortmund. Is that everything? Nope, there’s a Milan derby, too.

If you’re on your way to a game today or have anything to get off your chest, you can email me here. Comments will hopefully be open BTL shortly, too.