Manchester United F.C.’s senior squad have reportedly thrown their support behind Michael Carrick, with most players said to be in favour of the interim boss being handed the role on a permanent basis.

Carrick stepped in during a turbulent period for the club, following a disappointing run under Ruben Amorim, who managed just three wins from his final 11 games in charge. The situation failed to improve under caretaker Darren Fletcher, whose brief spell included a draw against Burnley F.C. and an FA Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion F.C..

Since taking over, Carrick has overseen a strong turnaround, guiding United to seven wins from ten league matches and restoring a sense of belief around Old Trafford that had been missing in the years following Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.

A number of high-profile names had been linked with the job after Amorim’s exit, including Thomas Tuchel, Roberto De Zerbi, Carlo Ancelotti, Gareth Southgate, Mauricio Pochettino and Oliver Glasner. However, Tuchel—once considered a leading candidate—effectively ruled himself out by committing his future to England until Euro 2028.

Carrick’s early success has not gone unnoticed within the dressing room. Senior figures such as Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are believed to be particularly impressed by his tactical ideas and deep understanding of the game.

While his current deal runs until the end of the 2025/26 season, the club have yet to clarify whether he will remain in charge beyond this summer. A final decision could depend on whether Carrick secures UEFA Champions League qualification, with United currently sitting in a strong third-place position in the league.

Behind the scenes, players have reportedly welcomed Carrick’s more flexible approach, especially compared to the rigid tactical demands under Amorim. His willingness to allow individuals to express themselves has been seen as a major positive, along with his extensive knowledge of players and leagues across world football.

Opinions outside the club remain divided. Former United figures like Gary Neville and Roy Keane have questioned whether Carrick is the right long-term solution. However, Juan Mata, who played alongside him for five seasons, believes his former teammate has already shown he is more than capable of stepping into the role permanently.

Mata described Carrick as highly intelligent and someone who always led by example during his playing career, preferring to let his performances do the talking rather than seek attention. He added that Carrick’s influence in the dressing room was significant, both in terms of his professionalism and his ability to support teammates.

According to Mata, Carrick is now carrying those same qualities into management—quietly setting standards, connecting well with players, and delivering the results the club has been craving.

Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have withdrawn from the England national football team camp and returned to Arsenal F.C. for further medical checks.

Both players were absent from England’s 1-1 draw against Uruguay national football team at Wembley Stadium on Friday, where Noni Madueke was forced off early due to a knee issue. It has now been confirmed that all three will miss England’s upcoming friendly against Japan national football team on Tuesday.

In addition, Adam Wharton and John Stones have also left the squad after picking up injuries during the Uruguay match.

England announced on Saturday that the squad has been reduced to 27 players ahead of the clash with Japan, with a total of eight individuals departing the camp. Among those leaving are Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The update also confirmed that Stones has returned to Manchester City F.C. for further assessment after sustaining a problem in training prior to the Uruguay fixture. Meanwhile, Wharton and Madueke have gone back to their respective clubs after picking up knocks during the game.

Saka and Rice, who only joined the squad on Friday alongside a group of other players, have now also been sent back to Arsenal for evaluation. The remaining group included Dean Henderson, Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane, who continue preparations for Tuesday’s match.

Cristiano Ronaldo may currently be sidelined with a muscle injury as he gears up for the upcoming World Cup, but off the pitch, attention is also turning to what comes next in his career. Alongside him, his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez continues to expand her personal brand, especially following the success of her I Am Georgina on Netflix.

With Ronaldo already confirming that the 2026 tournament will mark the final chapter of his playing days, speculation is building over whether he could follow a similar route into documentary storytelling. The Portuguese star has long been one of football’s most visible figures, and a project centered on his life would likely attract global attention.

He has already taken early steps into the entertainment industry. In 2025, Ronaldo teamed up with British filmmaker Matthew Vaughn to launch UR-Marv, a studio that signals his intent to explore opportunities beyond football.

Former United States international goalkeeper Kasey Keller believes a documentary project is a natural possibility, pointing out that Ronaldo has numerous directions he could pursue once he retires, particularly in media and film.

At the same time, Keller suggested that Ronaldo’s playing career may not stretch much further than planned, noting that at this stage, even a minor injury could accelerate his decision to step away from the game. He also believes Ronaldo would have little trouble creating a Netflix project alongside Georgina if he chose to, given his global appeal and comfort in the spotlight—something that has always set him apart from more private figures like Lionel Messi.

Keller added that it remains to be seen what direction Ronaldo would take creatively, whether producing content in Portuguese or English, and what kind of role he would play on screen. However, he expects the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to remain active in some capacity, rather than stepping into traditional football roles like coaching or management.

Despite Ronaldo’s well-known ambition to reach 1,000 career goals, there are doubts about whether he would extend his career into his early forties, particularly in a demanding league like Major League Soccer, where travel requirements can be intense.

Financially secure for life, the real decision for Ronaldo will revolve around how he chooses to spend his time after football. Given his drive and personality, a quiet retirement seems unlikely, with new ventures in media, film, or business appearing to be the more probable path.