Manchester United are on the verge of securing a return to the Champions League, one of their primary objectives from the start of the Premier League season. Michael Carrick's side currently sit third in the table with five matches remaining.
This season, the top five clubs automatically qualify for the Champions League, with a sixth spot potentially available if Aston Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League. United will have a chance to strengthen their position when they host Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday.
Carrick's team secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Chelsea last time out, with Matheus Cunha scoring the only goal. The Brazilian will be eager to guide his teammates to another important win in front of the home supporters.
Bruno Fernandes Issues Apology
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has apologised to Jamie Carragher after recalling the former Liverpool defender's penalty miss at the 2006 World Cup. During an appearance on The Wayne Rooney Show, Fernandes remembered celebrating as a youngster when Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo saved Carragher's spot-kick in the quarter-final shootout.
Fernandes said: "Obviously 2006, everyone remembers because of Cristiano and Wayne's little bit of fire. It ends up with Jamie Carragher missing the penalty. I had to say this - sorry, Jamie." He added with a smile: "I had to get a little bit off you, you get on me all the time. I can get on you with that penalty. When I miss a penalty, don't say anything about it, please."
Writing in his Telegraph column, Carragher recalled: "Sven Goran Eriksson summoned me and gave me one job: to dispatch a spot-kick as convincingly as I had in every practice session. I had not missed a penalty in six weeks. 'You'll take the fourth', Eriksson told me. Not a problem. England were 2-1 down by the time I made that 40-yard walk, but I was feeling confident staring at Portugal's No. 1 Ricardo."
Carragher added: "Knowing precisely where to place the ball, I struck it sweetly to the right, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way - my first touch of the game. There was a momentary sense of relief."
Arsenal Open Talks for Maxi Araujo
Portuguese newspaper Record reports that Arsenal have opened talks with Sporting Clube de Portugal over left-back Maxi Araujo, who is also a target for Manchester United. The Uruguayan is believed to have caught Mikel Arteta's eye during the Champions League double-header between the two clubs in March and April.
It is said that the north London club have made an 'initial approach' to Araujo to discuss a potential summer move. Sporting, meanwhile, are 'open' to selling the 26-year-old but will only consider offers in excess of €50 million (£43 million).
However, any deal for Araujo is unlikely to be straightforward, with Arsenal facing competition from Manchester United, Manchester City, and Atletico Madrid. Sporting paid £13 million for Araujo in 2024.
