MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has dismissed suggestions that Benjamin Sesko should be brought into the starting line-up after the striker’s impressive performance off the bench, describing the situation as “a positive thing” for the club.

Sesko has not started a Premier League match since scoring twice in a 2-2 draw with Burnley last month when caretaker manager Darren Fletcher was in charge.

The Slovenian striker, signed last year for an initial fee of 76.5 million euros, has scored three goals in his last four games after coming on as a substitute.

“I think overall it’s a positive thing. It’s not a result I look at negatively,” Carrick told reporters ahead of the home game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

“We played well as a team, we won games. I’m still not carried away by the thought that it will continue… Ben has been so good in so many ways for us. It’s not a drama.

“It just proves the quality Ben has based on what he’s produced in the last few weeks. It’s a good position for us.”

Carrick was also asked why his starting line-up had been so similar in recent matches and the former midfielder said he faced a difficult task between maintaining the team’s winning momentum and keeping the whole squad happy.

United are unbeaten since Carrick took over, winning five Premier League games and drawing one to climb to fourth.

“It’s definitely something we’re aware of… This is a challenge managing a team. There are a lot of positives and results we’ve gotten from playing well, mostly winning games,” he said.

“There is a balance but certainly one positive thing is that we are in a good form. Even though sometimes the same players are in the middle of the pitch, match after match we have changed things.”

Carrick said more can be expected from Harry Maguire as questions over the star defender’s contract arise.

The 32-year-old is in the final year of his contract and Carrick stressed the importance of keeping a leader like Maguire, especially with the departure of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro at the end of the season.

“Experience is very important. Harry has gained a lot of experience in many ways through this club… We’ve seen that with Harry’s performances recently, what he’s brought to the team and how important he is.”

LONDON: Manchester United and Chelsea are said to be trying to lure Jurgen Klopp to manage their teams after he leaves Liverpool, according to his personal agent.

The German coach leaves The Reds in 2024 to take a break from management, before taking on the role of global head of football at Red Bull.

However, according to Klopp’s agent, the two Premier League giants have shown interest – a claim denied by United and Chelsea – and Klopp is said to also have the opportunity to manage the United States (US) or England national teams if he so wishes.

“Before joining Red Bull, Jurgen could have managed the USA or England,” said Klopp’s long-time agent Marc Kosicke in an interview with German website Transfermarkt.

“Maybe Germany too, if Julian Nagelsmann wasn’t already there.

“In fact, Chelsea and Manchester United have also contacted me, although Jurgen has clearly stated that he does not want to manage another club in England. These kinds of questions happen quite often.

“He is very happy with what has been achieved,” Kosicke stressed.

“It’s still great when his name goes down in history as one of the coaches who only managed three clubs and was never fired.”

When contacted for comment, both Chelsea and Manchester United denied the agent’s claims.

Since resigning, Klopp has only returned to Anfield for one match – after Liverpool won the EPL last season – because he did not want to upset Arne Slot.

He is scheduled to lead Liverpool’s legendary team in a charity match against his former club Borussia Dortmund at Anfield next month.

BARCELONA: Barcelona suffered an early blow ahead of the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid when they lost two key left wingers, Marcus Rashford and Raphinha.

Raphinha is still sidelined with a thigh injury, while Rashford did not train today after suffering a knee problem following a tackle during the 3-0 win over Real Mallorca in La Liga last Saturday.

Barca manager Hansi Flick confirmed that the England striker is not fit to play at the Metropolitano Stadium.

“Marcus can’t play yet, he took a knock and it hurts. We need to take care of him.

“This is not good news, but I always believe in my team.

“In a situation like this it’s not easy, but we have to improve and that’s also important for tomorrow’s match,” said Flick.

Flick also stressed that a cautious approach was being taken towards Raphinha’s recovery process.

“He’s a player who always gives everything with high intensity. If he starts to feel something, we have to take care of him and maybe take a step back.

“That’s the situation right now. Of course I’m not happy because we need it,” he said.

The absence of both players opens up space for Ferran Torres or Dani Olmo to be moved to the left wing position, even though it is not their original position.

In addition, the Catalan giants continue to be plagued by long-term injury problems involving Pedri, Gavi and Andreas Christensen.

In another development, Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo, who previously took a month-long break due to mental health issues at the end of 2025, revealed that he has been struggling with anxiety and depression for the past 18 months.

Flick described Araujo as a strong individual, but stressed the coach’s responsibility in looking after the players’ welfare.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Manchester City midfielder Rodri has called on referees to “be neutral” after anger boiled over as the club’s title bid was threatened by a 2-2 draw at Tottenham.

City came close to winning in north London when they led 2-0 but the momentum swung back in Spurs’ favour after Dominic Solanke’s goal was disallowed despite the striker appearing to foul Marc Guehi before touching the ball.

Solanke then created a scorpion kick to equalise, leaving City six points behind leaders Arsenal.

“I know we won too many and people don’t want us to win, but the referee should be neutral and for me to be honest, it’s not fair,” Rodri told Australian broadcaster Stan Sport.

“In the end, when it was all over, we were disappointed because the foul was so obvious. He kicked and of course, with that pressure on the ball, it went in.

“We have to pay attention to the little things like this, otherwise it will be difficult for everyone because this league is like that – it’s about the little things, everything counts, so I think in that aspect, it was a very challenging day for us.”

LONDON: Manchester United star Matheus Cunha is at risk of a match suspension following abusive language uttered while celebrating the winning goal against Arsenal in the English Premier League at the Emirates Stadium.

The Brazilian striker scored a stunning goal to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory for United, but while celebrating the goal, Cunha was filmed facing the camera and heard making obscene remarks.

The incident forced Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury to make a direct apology to viewers for the inappropriate language heard during the broadcast.

The English Football Association (FA) is known to be strict against players who utter explicit abusive language towards the camera.

In 2011, United legend Wayne Rooney was banned for two matches for the same offence against West Ham.

According to the IFAB Laws of the Game, players are prohibited from using offensive, insulting or abusive language or actions.

If the referee hears it, a red card can be issued, while the FA has the right to take retrospective action if the incident is caught on camera and broadcast to the public.

The FA considers the act of swearing openly towards the camera to be a deliberate act that tarnishes the image of the game.

So far, there has been no confirmation whether the FA will take action against Cunha or what form of punishment will be imposed.

United are scheduled to face Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford this Saturday, before travelling to West Ham on February 10.

As United have already been eliminated from the FA Cup and League Cup, any suspension will only apply in the Premier League.

The win over Arsenal also lifted United to fourth in the league on 38 points, one point ahead of Chelsea, while Liverpool are in sixth place on 36 points.

If suspended, it would not be the first time Cunha has faced disciplinary issues with the FA.

Last season while with Wolverhampton Wanderers, he was suspended for an additional one match and fined 50,000 pounds after being shown a red card for attacking Bournemouth player Milos Kerkez in an FA Cup match.