MANCHESTER, May 23 — Michael Carrick said he wanted to make Manchester United challengers for major trophies again after the club confirmed him as their new permanent head coach on a two-year contract yesterday.

The former United midfielder and captain has overseen a dramatic improvement in form at Old Trafford since taking over following Ruben Amorim’s acrimonious exit in January.

Carrick secured Champions League football with three matches to spare and United wrapped up third spot with Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League victory against Nottingham Forest—his 11th win in 16 games.

The 44-year-old had been backed for the job by a number of players and has now been rewarded with a new deal.

“Manchester United is delighted to announce that Michael Carrick will continue as head coach of the men’s first team, having signed a new contract which will run to 2028,” the club said in a statement on their website.

Carrick won five Premier League titles and the Champions League among a cascade of trophies as a player at United under Alex Ferguson.

But the club have have not mounted a realistic challenge for the Premier League since Ferguson retired as a champion in 2013, eclipsed as the dominant force in English football by neighbours Manchester City.

Carrick said ever since he first arrived at United as a player 20 years ago he had felt the “magic” of the club.

Now the former Middlesbrough boss, who has had previous coaching stints at United, wants to build on his achievements since January.

“It’s good to make steps, good to get in the Champions League, good to finish third, but (I want) to make this place better,” the ex-England international told club media.

“I must admit on Sunday in the stadium it felt a little bit different. There was a real togetherness and kind of enjoyment from everyone and that was powerful for me.

“Supporting Manchester United and looking forward to what can happen should always be like that. That’s the drive (to win trophies) and for us to reward the fans would be pretty special.”

Carrick’s deal takes him through to 2028, when United co-owners Ineos want to celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary with the league title.

The midfielder has the chance to become the first man to win the Premier League as both player and manager.

“I’d take that right now,” Carrick said. “That’s the goal and I’ve got to believe it. That’s what we’ve got to aim for. It’s where we want to be as a club.”

Director of football Jason Wilcox said the new permanent boss had impressed since taking the helm at Old Trafford.

“Michael’s achievements in leading the club back to the Champions League should not be understated,” he said.

“He has forged a strong bond with the players and can be proud of the winning culture at Carrington (training ground) and in the dressing room, which we are continuing to build.” — AFP

MANCHESTER, May 18 — West Ham United slipped perilously close to relegation after a bruising 3-1 Premier League defeat at Newcastle United yesterday, a result that leaves their survival hopes hanging by a thread.

Newcastle’s William Osula struck twice and Nick Woltemade also scored, condemning West Ham to remain in 18th place on 36 points, two behind Tottenham Hotspur, who have a game in hand and can relegate the Hammers with a win over Chelsea tomorrow.

At Old Trafford, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League record for goal assists in a single season and Casemiro received a standing ovation in his last home appearance for the club as the hosts beat Nottingham Forest 3-2.

While in the battle for European places, Brighton and Hove Albion lost 1-0 at Leeds United and Everton lost 3-1 at home to Sunderland.

Brentford, bidding to play in Europe for the first time, drew 2-2 at home with Crystal Palace thanks to a brace from Dango Ouattara while Fulham also drew 1-1 at bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

West Ham’s problems evident

West Ham’s problems were evident early on, gifting possession in the 15th minute for Harvey Barnes to cross for Woltemade, who slotted home a side-footed finish. Four minutes later, Osula slid the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to double the lead.

Osula added his second in the 65th minute to all but seal the contest, though Valentin Castellanos briefly reignited hope with a superb strike four minutes later.

The Hammers must now wait on Chelsea’s clash with Spurs, hoping for a lifeline ahead of their final-day meeting with Leeds United next Sunday.

“This is football,” West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes told Sky Sports. “We need to be positive because we have one more game. It is one game that can change everything. We could have put pressure on Tottenham, but now it is difficult.

“It is very hard to think about the future. One game to try to win. Hopefully they (Spurs) lose against Chelsea and in the last match we go with everything. We have to believe.”

Newcastle are 11th on 49 points.

With a return to the Champions League already in the bag and Michael Carrick expected to be named as permanent manager, it was a day of celebration for Manchester United, who signed off at home with victory.

Fernandes set up the third goal for Bryan Mbeumo — his 20th assist of the season — as a resurgent United confirmed they will finish the season in third place.

United’s Portuguese talisman will break the record he now shares with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne if he makes an assist in United’s final game of the season at Brighton and Hove Albion next weekend.

“(My teammates) have been trying to score from my passes,” Fernandes said. “I’m very happy for the assist and for the win and to finish the season on a high.

“I got to 20 today, let’s see we have one more game. It’s the highest I’ve done in the Premier League so I am very happy with it.”

While United will return to European competition next season after missing out in this campaign, several of the clubs trying to join them missed an opportunity yesterday.

Brighton remained in seventh place with 53 points with Brentford a point behind in eighth. Sunderland are up to ninth with 51 points and still with a chance of European qualification in their first season back in the top flight. Everton’s hopes now look slender as they are in 12th place with 49 points.

Eighth place will earn the reward of a place in the UEFA Conference League.

Shaw ends goal drought

Luke Shaw opened the scoring for United against Forest in the fifth minute, his first league goal in more than three years. Forest’s Morato levelled in the 53rd minute but Matheus Cunha restored United’s lead two minutes later with an effort that stood following a lengthy VAR check for a possible Mbeumo handball in the build-up.

Mbeumo then produced a composed finish from Fernandes’ cross before Morgan Gibbs-White pulled one back for Forest.

Manchester United’s English defender Luke Shaw (left) celebrates with Manchester United’s Argentinian defender Lisandro Martinez (right) after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on May 17, 2026. — AFP pic

The game marked a fond farewell for Casemiro after four seasons, and the fans gave the Brazil midfielder a rousing reception when he was subbed off in the 80th minute.

United have been transformed since Carrick returned as interim manager to replace Ruben Amorim in January and he addressed the crowd after fulltime.

“I could listen to that all night,” he said, after the chanting finally died down. “What a way to finish a season here at home, what a game that was. I thought we played ever so well today, it’s unbelievable to see this place like this.”

Sunderland trailed at Everton to Merlin Roehl’s goal but hit back after the break with Brian Brobbey equalising before late goals from Enzo Le Fee and Wilson Isidor.

Arsenal will try to take one of the two wins they need to guarantee the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years when they host Burnley today. — AFP

LONDON, May 15 — Seamus Coleman will bring the curtain down on his 17-year ‌Everton career at the end of the season when his contract expires, the Premier League club said today.

The ‌37-year-old right back, who joined from Irish side Sligo Rovers in January 2009, holds the club record for most Premier League appearances with 372 from his 433 games across all competitions.

“After more than 17 years at this great football club, I’ve decided this season will be my last as a player here,” Coleman said in a statement.

“I want ‌to thank the fans for their unbelievable support. ⁠You’ve helped me in ⁠more ways than you could imagine. ⁠I’ve always tried my ⁠best to ⁠put Everton Football Club first and you all mean the world to me.”

He captained the side ⁠in 140 games, earning admiration from supporters who valued his commitment.

However, injuries have limited the defender’s impact in recent seasons, with just one Premier League start this campaign — a brief 10-minute appearance against ⁠Manchester United before being substituted.

Coleman said he would take time during the close season to consider his ⁠future, with Everton offering him the option of a ⁠coaching ⁠role.

“To think I’ve gone on to make the most Premier League appearances for Everton and to become captain of ‌this great football club — it was beyond my wildest dreams,” he said. — Reuters