Carrick urges quick resolution to Man City charges case as United prepare to host Spurs

The City charges case

Michael Carrick called for a swift resolution to Manchester City's financial charges case on Friday, saying the long-running process had raised many questions and affected him personally. Last month an independent commission found City guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial rules over nine seasons, between 2009-10 and 2017-18, as well as three of four charges concerning their failure to cooperate with the investigation. City have denied wrongdoing and lodged an appeal, and they top the table as the only side with a perfect record after five matches. Asked about the charges at a press conference, Carrick said he had his own questions about the case and that it had affected him in different ways over a period of time.

It's thrown up a lot of questions, some have had answers, some haven't. As it's still ongoing, and we don't know how long it's going to go, there's only so much I can say.

Asked whether he wants the titles United missed out on, Carrick said he would reserve judgement until the process was complete. He lost out in two title races won by City, including 2011-12, when United fell short on goal difference after Sergio Agüero's final-day goal.

What I will say, the sooner it gets sorted I think for everyone's benefit is essential.

United's poor start

United are 12th with one league win from five matches and host Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday evening. The Independent counts five points from a fixture list that could have promised at least 10, while the Guardian notes United have conceded fewer touches in their box than any other side yet are the only team still without a clean sheet. United average 60% possession per match but have struggled to turn that into goals, and the opening-day defeat at Hull and the derby loss to City, which came between two draws, are the setbacks Carrick must address. Carrick described the picture from the international break as mixed, and injury concerns remain. He took charge in January, after Ruben Amorim's departure.

Tottenham's start

Spurs are bottom of the Premier League with two points, according to the Guardian, after spending £300m on Roberto De Zerbi's rebuild over the summer. The NYT reports Tottenham finished 17th in each of the last two seasons. Elias Burke of the NYT identifies the central issue at Spurs as the lack of a winning culture, noting they won 21 times from 76 league games over the past two seasons. He says De Zerbi must help players and fans believe they can win consistently again.

October and what follows

United have six fixtures in October, including away games at Leeds, Atlético Madrid, Como and Chelsea, while the Guardian rates the home game against Bournemouth as the second easiest of the month. The Independent adds that their other Champions League match before the November international break is against Roma. Andy Mitten of the NYT said the pressure on Carrick would grow if results did not improve.

United must improve, otherwise the pressure will build on the head coach's position from the angry fringe to the mainstream.

The Guardian says United need to be in a better position at the end of October than they were at the start, and kick-off against Tottenham at Old Trafford is on Saturday evening.