Michael Owen has called on Manchester United to strengthen their attack in the coming years, insisting Benjamin Šeško is not the long-term solution to lead the line.

United invested £74 million to sign the Slovenian striker from RB Leipzig last summer, bringing him in as a replacement for Rasmus Højlund, who departed for Napoli. The move was seen as a major step toward solving the club’s issues up front.

However, Šeško struggled to make an immediate impact, managing just two goals in the first half of the campaign while playing under former boss Rúben Amorim.

His form has improved significantly since Michael Carrick took charge on an interim basis, with the 22-year-old netting eight times in his last 11 appearances and helping United climb to third in the Premier League table.

Despite that upturn, Owen remains unconvinced about the striker’s long-term role. He acknowledged that Šeško has shown improvement and regained confidence, but suggested United would still need a higher-level centre-forward if they want to compete for major honours again. In his view, the forward can be a useful part of the squad, contributing goals and adding depth, but not necessarily the player to build a title challenge around. He also hinted that in a must-win, high-stakes match, Šeško might not be the automatic choice to start.

Owen believes there is room for an upgrade in the near future, stressing that while the youngster is now playing with more belief and becoming an asset again, there is still a considerable gap between his current level and what is required to lead a club like Manchester United back to the top.

The former England striker also weighed in on the managerial situation at Old Trafford, strongly backing Carrick to be given the job on a permanent basis. He expressed surprise that there is even debate around the decision, arguing that the team’s current trajectory under Carrick should be enough to justify continuity.

According to Owen, replacing Carrick now would be a major risk, especially given the club’s turbulent history since the departure of Alex Ferguson. He pointed out that United have already experimented with a wide range of managerial profiles — from experienced winners like Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho, to former players such as Ole Gunnar Solskjær, as well as more unconventional appointments like Ralf Rangnick and Amorim.

He argued that after years of inconsistency, United may have finally found a coach who is getting the best out of the squad. The team is winning games, performances are improving, and several players are showing their best form in years. For Owen, that progress should not be disrupted.

He suggested a short-term deal could be a sensible approach, allowing the club to continue building momentum while keeping flexibility for the future. In his view, there is little downside to backing Carrick now, especially given the current positive trend.

United’s recent 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth may have slowed their momentum slightly, but they remain third in the league and firmly in contention for a Champions League place — a position that reflects the progress made in recent months.

Jürgen Klopp could be edging closer to a dramatic return to management, with both Real Madrid and the Germany national football team emerging as potential destinations.

The 58-year-old has been out of the dugout since May 2024, bringing an end to a hugely successful nine-year spell at Liverpool, where he stepped away due to exhaustion. He later took up a new role in January 2025 as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, overseeing the company’s network of football clubs.

Despite settling into an executive position, Klopp has now hinted that his managerial career may not be over just yet. Speaking at a recent event, he made it clear that while he is not actively planning a comeback, he still feels he has more to give on the touchline.

He suggested that although he is at a later stage in life, he does not see himself as fully retired from coaching, leaving the door open for a possible return in the coming years.

Reports, including from transfer insider Florian Plettenberg, claim Klopp would be particularly interested in taking charge of either Real Madrid or Germany if the right opportunity arises.

Madrid’s situation remains uncertain after Álvaro Arbeloa was appointed earlier this year following the departure of Xabi Alonso. While Arbeloa has stepped in, the Spanish giants are expected to pursue a long-term solution in the summer — and Klopp is reportedly high on their shortlist.

However, Klopp himself has played down the speculation. At the same event, he dismissed claims of contact from Madrid, saying the club has never approached him and jokingly added that he might as well manage Atlético Madrid at the same time — if anyone actually makes the call.

As for the German national team, Julian Nagelsmann remains in charge and is set to lead the side into the upcoming World Cup. With his contract running until 2028, there is currently no immediate indication of a change unless circumstances shift or Nagelsmann decides to move on, especially amid reported interest from clubs like Manchester United.

For now, Klopp’s return remains a possibility rather than a plan — but his comments have certainly reignited excitement about seeing one of football’s most charismatic managers back on the sidelines.

Erling Haaland was the final Manchester City player to leave the Wembley dressing room on Sunday night, still clutching the Carabao Cup trophy with a wide smile after their victory.

The Norwegian striker, clearly relishing the moment, carried the silverware onto the team bus and fired up his teammates with a passionate rallying cry, urging them to keep the momentum going after their triumph.

City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal means Haaland has now collected every major domestic honour available since arriving at the Etihad in 2022. His haul includes the Premier League title, FA Cup, Community Shield, and League Cup, alongside individual accolades such as two Golden Boots and a Player of the Season award. Add to that the Champions League title from City’s historic treble campaign, and the 25-year-old has already built a remarkable legacy in a short time — though his hunger clearly remains.

Haaland’s fiery personality has been evident throughout the season. He has not shied away from emotional moments, whether reacting to on-field incidents involving players like Gianluca Mancini or delivering intense speeches to his teammates. Following their recent Champions League exit to Real Madrid, he challenged the squad to respond with energy, belief, and unity, making it clear that setbacks would not define their campaign.

That same determination was on display again after the Wembley win, sending a clear message to their title rivals that City are far from finished this season. Despite trailing Arsenal by nine points, with a game still in hand and a crucial clash at the Etihad looming, belief remains strong within Guardiola’s squad.

Reflecting on the win, Haaland described it as a special occasion but stressed that there is still plenty left to fight for. He highlighted the team’s resilience in bouncing back from European disappointment and praised the energy and mindset shown on the pitch.

With an FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool on the horizon, Haaland is expected to return refreshed after a short break granted by Norway boss Ståle Solbakken. He will miss the upcoming friendly against the Netherlands but is set to rejoin the squad for their clash with Switzerland.

Meanwhile, Rodri, who has battled back from a serious knee injury, underlined the importance of the Wembley victory. He suggested the win could have a significant psychological impact in the title race, not just because of the trophy, but as proof that City can overcome their biggest rivals. He also pointed out that exiting Europe may offer a slight advantage, giving the team more time to prepare for crucial domestic fixtures.

Rodri noted that Arsenal appeared to lose some intensity as the game wore on, something City capitalised on to take control in the second half. His comments reinforce the growing sense that the title race is far from settled.

For Arsenal, the defeat serves as a warning. For Manchester City, it could be the spark that reignites another dominant run.