Manchester United’s senior players have been won over by Michael Carrick and ‘the majority’ of the squad would reportedly be keen for the interim head coach to be offered a long-term contract.

The Red Devils found themselves in a state of disarray when Carrick took over the reins on a temporary basis last month, with Ruben Amorim picking up just three wins from his final 11 matches at the helm.

Darren Fletcher struggled to steady the ship while in charge as caretaker manager, overseeing a 2-2 draw away to lowly Burnley before suffering defeat to Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup.

But since picking up the pieces from Fletcher, Carrick has led the side to seven wins from a possible ten in the English top flight and, in the process, brought a sense of optimism back to the fanbase which has been so badly lacking in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

A host of high-profile managers were linked with the United job in the wake of Amorim’s dismissal, including the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Roberto De Zerbi, Carlo Ancelotti, Gareth Southgate, Mauricio Pochettino and Oliver Glasner.

But Tuchel, who at one stage was viewed as the outstanding candidate, went on to effectively rule himself out of the running by extending his deal with England until Euro 2028.

According to The Sun, though, Carrick’s impressive start has been such that senior members of the dressing room now want the ex-United, Tottenham and England midfielder to be appointed on a full-time basis.

It’s claimed the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have all been blown away by Carrick’s tactical approach and his ‘knowledge of the world game’.

Carrick’s current contract at the Theatre of Dreams runs through to the end of the 2025/26 campaign and the club are yet to provide any assurances over his future beyond the summer.

United’s decision could ultimately come down to whether or not Carrick succeeds in steering the club to Champions League qualification, with the side currently positioned strongly in third.

‘Michael has come in and done great because he has been a breath of fresh air,’ an Old Trafford source is reported to have told The Sun.

‘Some of the players expected that, because playing for Amorim was like playing chess.

‘You had to follow his rules to the tee, whereas Michael has told them to express themselves.

‘What they are really impressed with is his knowledge of the game.’

The source added: ‘He knows about players in other leagues and clearly spends an awful lot of time thinking about football and following it.

‘The players know it’s not their decision, but the majority would be happy if he got the job permanently.’

Former United players and club legends have been split when it comes to the manager’s position, with both Gary Neville and Roy Keane voicing their doubts above Carrick’s long-term credentials.

However, Juan Mata, who shared a dressing room with Carrick for five seasons, believes his former team-mate has proven he is ‘capable’ in his audition for the permanent job.

On suggestions that Carrick should be given a full-time deal, the ex-United and Spain midfielder told talkSPORT: ‘Well, Michael is very capable.

‘He’s a very intelligent guy. First of all, as a person, I love him.

‘He was a fantastic team-mate, always there for you, he never wanted to take the spotlight but he let his football talk.

‘He was very important for the team always, looking for these passes, especially for players like me in between the lines.’

According to Mata, Carrick is simply replicating what he did so brillianty during his playing days in quietly setting an ‘example’ for those around him to follow.

‘In the dressing room, he was an example for all of us: his character and his professionalism,’ the Spaniard added.

‘And again, I said it, he’s a very intelligent guy that loves the game and I’m very happy that he’s getting the results that the club need.

‘He knows how to get to the players, of course, and I’m enjoying watching the games at the moment.’

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Cole Palmer is open to joining Manchester United after becoming ‘disillusioned’ at Chelsea, according to reports.

The 23-year-old is currently in his third season at Stamford Bridge following his £42.5 million move from Manchester City in 2023.

Palmer hit the ground running at Chelsea with 38 goals in his first two seasons but the midfielder has struggled for form this season due to injury.

According to The Sun, Palmer is said to be ‘frustrated’ by the tactical changes this season and is unhappy with the departure of Nicolas Jackson, who joined Bayern Munich on loan last summer.

The report adds that Palmer would be open to joining Manchester United, his boyhood club, this summer but they are prioritising moves for at least one new central midfielder and a left-back.

Chelsea, meanwhile, consider Palmer as one of their ‘untouchable’ players and remain in a strong negotiating position as the England international still has seven years left to run on his contract.

Rosenior’s side are now out of the Champions League and currently sit sixth in the Premier League following back-to-back defeats to Newcastle United and Everton.

Last week, Enzo Fernandez raised doubts over his own future at Chelsea following the 3-0 defeat at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Asked if he could guarantee that he will be a Chelsea player next season, Fernandez told ESPN Argentina: ‘I don’t know, I don’t know.

‘There are eight games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup and then we’ll see.’

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By MICHAEL PAVITT, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 11:43 EDT, 28 March 2026 | Updated: 17:49 EDT, 28 March 2026

Leicester Tigers boss Geoff Parling had an X-rated exchange with TNT Sport presenters ahead of their Prem Rugby clash with Gloucester.

Footage showed Leicester players warming up ahead of the match at Villa Park, where Gloucester had opted to stage a showpiece match.

Out on the touchline presenter Craig Doyle invited Liam MacDevitt to attempt a conversion at the posts, joking it was part of an initiation due to being a new part of their team.

Doyle said: ‘You’re going to kick this ball’, with former footballer-turned-presenter MacDevitt quipping ‘this is going to be a debut-defining moment’ as he prepared to take the kick.

As MacDevitt ran up and struck the ball towards the posts and close to the Leicester players, Parling and a member of his coaching staff could be seen approaching the TNT presenters. 

Doyle first congratulated him on a ‘good effort’ and jokingly asked ‘would you sign him, Geoff?’ as the Leicester boss approached.

WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE 

Presenter Liam MacDevitt attempted a conversion as part of a light-hearted initiation to the TNT Sports team, but it drew the attention of Leicester Tigers boss Geoff Parling

Parling was seen approaching presenters Craig Doyle and MacDevitt, visibly unhappy after the ball had been kicked towards his players, who were warming up

Parling was seen shoving Doyle and declared ‘It’s f***ing not on’ as he told the presenters to get off the pitch

Parling, however, was less than impressed with the Leicester coach telling the presenters ‘That’s not on, that’s f***ing not on. Get off the pitch.’

The Leicester coach was seen shoving Doyle, who then offered an apology.

‘Sorry, Geoff not happy about that,’ Doyle said. 

‘Apologies for the language, Geoff understandably upset about that, let’s just step off the pitch here for a second.’

Viewers of the coverage on TNT, who pay around £40million to show Prem Rugby each season, were split over the incident.

Some argued that Parling had overreacted to the incident, while others were critical of the TNT presenters for interrupting Leicester Tigers’ warm-up ahead of the match. 

For his part, Parling confirmed afterwards that he had received an apology from the Prem’s official TV broadcaster. 

Leicester Tigers would ultimately earn a 36-17 victory over Gloucester in the early kick-off, lifting Parling’s side up to third in the table. 

Leicester won the Slater Cup as a result, with the fixture between the teams played in honour of their former player Ed Slater, who is suffering from motor neurone disease.

The match at Villa Park has helped to raise money for the charity founded in his name, 4Ed.

Prior to the match, Lewis Moody – who is also suffering from MND – completed a charity bike ride with his 2003 World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson. 

TNT Sports presenter Craig Doyle was shoved and told to ‘f*** off’ by Leicester Tigers coach Geoff Parling during a heated exchange on live TV on Saturday.

The incident occurred during the warm-up before Leicester played Gloucester in the Slater Cup at Villa Park.

During the pre-game build-up, which was broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, Doyle invited Liam MacDevitt, a fellow presenter, to take a conversion on the pitch at the end where Leicester’s players were warming up under the posts.

MacDevitt missed and the ball landed in the vicinity of where Leicester’s players were warming up in between the posts.

Parling immediately turned to Doyle, who asked: ‘Would you sign him, Geoff? Would you sign him?’

But a furious Parling shoved Doyle and replied: ‘That’s not on. That’s f—ing not on. Get off the pitch.’

Doyle raised his eyebrows and walked off the pitch and said, ‘sorry mate, Geoff not happy about that, apologies for the language, Geoff is understandably upset’.

Leicester went on to beat Gloucester 36-17 to retain the Slater Cup, with the fixture named in honour of former Gloucester and Leicester lock Ed Slater after his motor neurone disease diagnosis in 2022.

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Thomas Tuchel singled out Manchester United misfit Manuel Ugarte for praise following England’s 1-1 draw against Uruguay.

The Three Lions boss watched a makeshift side labour at Wembley with several fringe players failing to accept an opportunity to play their way into the manager’s World Cup plans.

the squad to be rejigged as more familiar faces return for Tuesday’s friendly against Japan.

Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were among the established 11-strong contingent watching from the stands ahead of joining a group that will be cut down after this match.

Tuchel trialled a variety of different players, with James Garner and James Trafford making their debuts on night that started brightly, only to swiftly fizzle out.

Harry Maguire, winning his first cap in 18 months, was commanding and confident, while Dominic Solanke saw a shot blocked before seeing another easily gathered.

But the sting got taken out of proceedings after Joaquin Piquerez suffered an early injury in a tangle with Noni Madueke, leading England fans to amuse themselves by aiming paper planes at the pitch.

England comfortably dealt with Uruguay but offered little by way of threat but Tuchel declared himself satisfied by what he saw given the quality of the opposition.

The former Chelsea boss appeared particularly taken by Uruguay’s central midfield pairing of Fede Valverde and United’s Ugarte who has struggled to assert himself at Old Trafford following a £42m move from PSG 18 months ago.

‘I learned a lot, because it was a tough opponent and you just see it in the details,’ he said. ‘You learn a lot in the details, also the behaviour, and you see the level.

‘If you play against (Manuel) Ugarte, if you play against (Federico) Valverde in midfield, you see the level.

‘You play against the winners and these defensive players, it’s a high level and then you instantly see, so we needed this kind of test.’

Phil Fodenm meanwhile, limped off in the second half after being caught by a reckless Ronald Araujo tackle and Madueke was seen leaving the stadium in a knee brace having been hurt in the first half.

Tuchel was angered by both challenges and felt referee Sven Jablonski had a ‘bad day at the office’, including awarding Uruguay’s late penalty having been sent to the monitor to check a White challenge on Federico Vinas.

‘I think it’s a very soft penalty,’ the England boss said. ‘Of course there is contact, but it’s so obvious what the striker is trying to do.

‘Maybe Ben is also a bit greedy in this moment, but to overturn a decision when the referee clearly, clearly made the signal with both hands that he saw it and it was not enough for him.

‘Then to overturn it I was surprised VAR is in place because I thought it’s not working, because the tackle on Phil Foden was not even checked, tackle against Noni not even checked.

‘And then suddenly, this one was checked. OK, like I said, I don’t think it’s enough, but OK, it is what it is.

‘I heard that our goal was a tough block before our goal. I haven’t seen it, so, yeah, overall, that’s what it is.’

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Ipswich Town chairman, Mark Ashton, has issued an apology to supporters after Nigel Farage’s visit to Portman Road this week.

Farage visited the Championship club on Monday and images of the Reform UK leader holding up an Ipswich No.10 shirt with his name on the back was used by the political party on social media.

A Reform party campaign video starring Farage was also filmed at Ipswich’s stadium.

Farage’s visit sparked an angry response from some Ipswich supporters, while the club claimed that it was apolitical and did not ‘support or endorse any individual party’.

In a statement on Friday night, Aston said he was ‘immensely upset’ for ‘hurting’ Ipswich’s fanbase and admitted ‘mistakes have been made’.

Ashton said: ‘I’m fully aware that this has been a very difficult week for all of us.

‘The staff are hurting. Elements of the fanbase are hurting. So are elements of our local community. That upsets me immensely. Unreservedly, I want to apologise and say I’m sorry.

‘I understand that supporters and element of the community are angry. I also understand that there are a number of mistruths out there about what’s actually happened this week. And I also understand that we have lessons to learn. Because mistakes have been made which have caused harm and distress to parts of our local community.

‘And as the chairman of the club I take full responsibility for those mistakes. And full responsibility for making sure that those lessons are learned and learned quickly.

‘The full board of directors are now reviewing the policy regards how we engage with local politicians and political parties. We’ll decide how, if and when we do that moving forward. Because, again, lessons have to be learned.’

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By BEN NAGLE, US SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 22:09 EDT, 27 March 2026 | Updated: 22:21 EDT, 27 March 2026

Tiger Woods has been pictured for the first time since his DUI arrest after the police released a bleary-eyed mugshot of the golf legend.

Woods, 50, was put behind bars on Friday afternoon after he tried to overtake a truck and trailer at high speed on Jupiter Island, clipping the back of the vehicle and tipping his own SUV onto its side.

After clambering out of the passenger side window of his vehicle, Woods refused to give a urine sample to cops and was arrested for DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

He was transported to Martin County Public Safety Complex where he was booked at around 3pm, and his latest mugshot taken.

Cops released the image to the public shortly after 10pm, with Woods seen in a blue golf polo shirt, his eyes puffy and bloodshot.

The 15-time major champion remains behind bars in Florida, with Sheriff John Budensiek earlier confirming that he would be required to spend at least eight hours in prison before being allowed to leave on bail.

Tiger Woods stares down the lens in his police mugshot after being arrest for DUI on Friday

Woods stands alongside his Range Rover SUV after clambering out of the passenger side

Speaking to reporters, the sheriff said of Woods’ jail time: ‘It doesn’t matter who you are, if you break the law we’re gonna follow the law. That’s a really easy path to take.

‘Now as far as being in the jail, we’re gonna make sure he’s safe. We’re not gonna put him in general population, he’s not gonna be with other inmates that can try and hurt him or try to capitalize on what he did.

‘He’ll pay the price, but he’s not gonna pay the price by getting punished in jail. He was not injured. He was lethargic on scene, but we believe that was because of what he was intoxicated on.’

More to follow. 

Tiger Woods is behind bars in Florida after being arrested and charged with DUI, property damage and refusing to provide a urine sample in the wake of a rollover car crash near his home on Jupiter Island.

The golf legend is unhurt and was able to crawl out of the passenger side door after his Range Rover SUV flipped onto its side, having clipped the rear end of a pressure-washing vehicle shortly after 2pm on Friday afternoon.

At a press conference, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Woods showed signs of impairment at the scene and was arrested after refusing a urine test.

Woods was alone in his car, and neither he nor the driver of the other vehicle were injured. He will remain behind bars for at least eight hours, according to the police department.

The crash occurred in a 30mph zone when Woods – who was traveling at ‘high speed’ – attempted to overtake a truck that was pulling a pressure-washing device, according to the cops.

As the vehicle slowed to turn into a driveway, Woods attempted to overtake on the two-lane residential street but clipped the rear of the trailer, flipping his Range Rover onto its side before coming to a stop.

Tiger Woods stands next to his Range Rover SUV after clambering out of the wreckage

Woods made his return to golf on Tuesday (pictured) but is now behind bars in Florida 

Sheriff John Budensiek revealed details of Woods’ crash at a press conference on Friday

After clambering out, a ‘lethargic’ Woods agreed to take a breathalyzer at the scene – with the Sheriff’s Office confirming that he showed ‘triple zeros’ – but he then refused to provide a urine sample.

Speaking to the media, Sheriff John Budensiek revealed: ‘He is cooperative, but he was not trying to incriminate himself, so he was careful in what he said and didn’t say. When it came time again for the test, the urine test at the jail, he stopped that.

‘On scene, we had [Drug Recognition] experts evaluating him and they believed from on scene that he was not impaired with alcohol, but they believe it was some type of medication or drug. And again, at the jail he cooperated with the breathalyzer, and then the urine [test] he wanted no part in.

‘He has a right to refuse that test. There is a statute that he will be charged with for refusing to take that test, but we will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired on at the time of the crash.’

Woods, who lives on Jupiter Island around two miles from where the incident occurred, was involved in a similar crash in 2021 in California, which shattered his right leg after he was trapped under the vehicle. He needed multiple surgeries in order to recover from his injuries.

Woods flipped his Range Rover SUV onto its side and was able to clamber out uninjured

Woods kisses girlfriend Vanessa Trump on the cheek on his return to golf on Tuesday night

Woods tried to overtake a truck at speed but clipped its trailer, tipping his SUV onto its side

The accident, the third crash he has been involved in, comes just days after Woods made his hugely anticipated return to golf at an event on Tuesday night, where girlfriend Vanessa Trump was watching him play.

The police confirmed that Woods is being kept away from the general population in jail, where he will remain until at least 11pm EST on Friday night.

‘We know we arrested a high-profile figure, I’m not trying to dramatize it,’ Sheriff Budensiek told reporters. ‘But it doesn’t matter who you are, if you break the law we’re gonna follow the law. That’s a really easy path to take.

‘Now as far as being in the jail, we’re gonna make sure he’s safe. We’re not gonna put him in general population, he’s not gonna be with other inmates that can try and hurt him or try to capitalize on what he did.

‘He’ll pay the price, but he’s not gonna pay the price by getting punished in jail. He was not injured. He was lethargic on scene, but we believe that was because of what he was intoxicated on.’

Woods had been weighing up whether to compete in The Masters at Augusta National, Georgia in April after undergoing a seventh back surgery last October. He said this week that, despite returning to golf, he has days where he struggles to move.

Woods clipped the back of a trailer (pictured), leading to his car flipping onto its side

A photo provided by the Sheriff’s Office shows Woods’ overturned vehicle at the scene

‘Sometimes I have good days, sometimes I have bad days,’ he said this week of his overall health.

‘Disc replacement is not a lot of fun. I’ve had a lot of procedures prior to that, so the body doesn’t quite heal like it was when I was 24. Doesn’t quite bounce back. So I have good days when I can pretty much do anything, and other days where it’s hard to just to move around.’

As well as Woods’ ongoing back issues, he also tore his Achilles last March. He last played a tournament in July 2024 at The Open Championship in Scotland.

Remarkably, President Trump had said on Thursday night that Woods – who he is friends with – would not be playing at Augusta.

‘I love Tiger but he won’t be there,’ Trump told Fox. ‘He will be there but he won’t be playing in it.’

Trump also spoke out about Woods’ crash on Friday as he traveled home to Mar-a-Lago, telling reporters: ‘I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty.’

He added: ‘There was an accident and that’s all I know. Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person, amazing man. But, some difficulty. I don’t want to talk about it.’

In 2017 Woods was arrested for DUI after police found him slumped in his car in Florida with five drugs in his system, including two painkillers. 

He subsequently checked into rehab for painkiller addiction.

In 2021, golf icon Woods shattered his leg from a similar crash in Southern California 

Woods pictured with his two kids Sam (center) and Charlie (left) in Florida in 2023

He was involved in another high-profile crash in 2009 when he hit a fire hydrant after being chased from his home by then-wife Elin Nordegren, which led him to admit to multiple affairs and drug use.

Woods and Nordegren eventually divorced in 2010 but have remained friends while co-parenting their children.

‘Having the relationship that I have now with her is fantastic,’ Woods told Time in 2015. ‘We both know that the most important things in our lives are our kids. I wish I would have known that back then.’

Their 17-year-old son, Charlie, is an aspiring golfer and the former couple often reunite to support him at events. They also have a daughter, Sam, who is 18.

Woods has been dating Vanessa Trump for over a year – their relationship was first reported by the Daily Mail in March 2025 after they started seeing each other around Thanksgiving 2024. 

Vanessa filed for an uncontested divorce from ex-husband Donald Trump Jr. in March 2018. 

Eldest Trump grandchild Kai (center) pictured with Woods at PGA Tour event in 2025

Her daughter, Kai, is also an avid golfer who has commited to play at college level for the University of Miami. She has also forged a growing profile as an influencer in the sport.

But just as Woods has appeared to find happiness once again away from golf, Friday’s incident is a stark reminder of the troubles that have followed him throughout the course of his life. 

As well as his recent struggles to stay healthy, his mother Kultida died in February 2025 at the age of 80.

‘My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh,’ Woods said at the time.

‘She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible.’

Woods lost his doting mother, Kultida, in February 2025 at the age of 80 years old

His 2021 crash in California happened when Woods lost control on a downhill stretch of road, smashed through a road sign and rolled his car several hundred feet in a horror smash that police said he was ‘lucky to survive’. 

Firefighters had to use a Halligan tool to extricate Woods, freeing him from the car via the window.

Woods is a 15-time Major winner in golf and widely considered to be the most talented player to have ever competed in the game. 

The Daily Mail has contacted Woods’ agent for comment. 

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Former Netherlands international Rene van der Gijp has taken aim at Raheem Sterling after his latest poor showing for Feyenoord, advising the forward to hang up his boots and ‘just go to Ibiza’.

Sterling ended his stay with Chelsea by mutual agreement at the end of January and went on to sign for Feyenoord as a free agent, despite reported interest from the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace and Fulham.

The 31-year-old failed to play a single minute for Chelsea in the first of the campaign after returning from an underwhelming loan spell with Arsenal and sought a move overseas in the hope of resurrecting his career.

But Sterling, once considered among the finest attacking talents in English football, has flattered to deceive for the most part in his first five appearances in the Dutch Eredivisie.

An assist in Feyenoord’s comeback victory over Excelsior remains Sterling’s only direct goal contribution for his new side – something the four-time Premier League winner will look to improve after the international break.

Sterling was especially unconvincing against Ajax last weekend and Feyenoord head coach Robin van Persie had seen enough by the 55th minute, hauling the winger off for Leo Sauer as his side searched for an equaliser.

That leveller duly arrived late on as Jakub Moder struck from the penalty spot to cancel out Sean Steur’s opener and second-placed Feyenoord in the end had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Discussing Sterling’s less-than-impressive display in Rotterdam, ex-PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands winger Van der Gijp said on the Willem & Wessel podcast: ‘He should just go to Robin van Persie and say: let’s stop this. This isn’t going to work.

‘This isn’t good for me, for you, or for the club. You’re not really helping anyone with this.

‘He should just go to Ibiza, put on his swimming trunks, and eat a delicious paella with his wife.

‘Then he’d be having a great time. But this isn’t going to work out for him anymore. What a shame.’

Van der Gijp’s fellow podcaster, Willem van Hanegem agreed that Sterling appeared well past his best and Feyenoord may be better off simply cutting their losses.

‘He just wasn’t there again, no. If I were them, I would ask for my money back and say: just go home,’ the former Feyenoord and Netherlands midfielder argued.

‘You shouldn’t put a player like that through. He used to be a good player; he was still fit and fast, but that’s about it. If he bumps into you, he falls over. Isn’t that crazy?

‘You shouldn’t do that yourself as a player either. If he lacks speed and has the ball, they just walk right over him. That’s pointless.’

Despite Sterling’s apparent struggles, Van Hanegem doesn’t expect the England international to be dropped for Feyenoord’s next match against FC Volendam.

‘We aren’t waiting for that because we’ve already said six times that he isn’t good enough,’ he added.

‘I don’t think it’s just us, but a whole lot of people.’

After Feyenoord’s draw with Ajax, Van Persie admitted he was keen to see Sterling make more of an ‘impact’ both in and out of possession.

‘The most important thing is winning matches during this period of Raheem getting fitter and fitter,’ the ex-Arsenal, Manchester United and Netherlands striker told reporters shortly after the final whistle.

‘I do respect and acknowledge where he is coming from, but at the same time we have to deliver as a club. We have to end up second, it’s as simple as that.

‘I believe he’s making steps in terms of fitness, in terms of what he delivers.

‘At the same time, I want to see more impact off the ball, more impact on the ball.’

Sterling’s contract with Feyenoord runs through to the end of the season.

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