Man Utd’s Carrick on borrowed time, free-scoring Brighton face Liverpool

Beset by infighting and off to their worst league start for decades, Manchester United host Bournemouth needing to snap a seven-game winless run to quell talk of another mid-season managerial change. Michael Carrick’s men are 13th in the Premier League and could even drop into the bottom three if results go against them this weekend. At the other end of the table, Manchester City aim to extend their flawless start to the season at Aston Villa, despite doubts over the club’s future in the English top-flight. Third-placed Brighton are dreaming of an unlikely title challenge but face a stiff examination when they travel to Liverpool. AFP Sport looks at the pick of the Premier League action this weekend: MAN UTD BACK IN CRISIS MODE The Red Devils sank to new depths during a terrible start to the season in a 4-1 thrashing by Champions League debutants Como in midweek.

Captain Bruno Fernandes took aim at his manager’s passive tactics after the match, saying United had to be more “brave”. But Carrick, who apologised to the travelling fans in Italy, hit back at his players for not covering enough ground. “Whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don’t run and you don’t run forward, and you don’t run back, you ain’t going to win,” said the former United midfielder. The blunt remarks come just a week after defender Lisandro Martinez criticised the club’s board for not investing enough in the transfer market. United’s return of seven points from their opening seven games is their lowest of the Premier League era. After the departures of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim in the past two seasons, United are facing another campaign of transition unless Carrick can quickly right the ship. BRIGHTON HUNGRY FOR MORE Only Barcelona have outscored Brighton in Europe’s top…