Carrick shrugs off Manchester United future talk as Arteta hails Dowman

Michael Carrick has dismissed concerns over his position at Manchester United and insisted he is not feeling internal pressure, despite a run of damaging results that has left the club under scrutiny. The 45-year-old head coach spoke to the media before Sunday's trip to Fulham and played down comparisons with the sackings of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.

• Carrick accepts recent results have been poor but rejects the idea that his job is under immediate threat.
• Max Dowman, 16, scores twice for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup and Arteta praises his extraordinary progress.
• Sandro Tonali, Tottenham's record signing, is still adapting and De Zerbi has called for patience.
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns to the England squad after his strong start at Leeds.

Carrick takes responsibility for Manchester United's poor run

United lost 3-2 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday after leading 2-0 at Old Trafford, just days after a 1-0 home defeat to a Manchester City side that finished with ten men. Those results followed a 2-0 opening-day loss at Hull and a late equaliser conceded at Everton earlier in the month.

When reminded that Ten Hag lasted 30 months in the job and Amorim 14 before being dismissed, Carrick was clear: "It will be a lot longer than one or two games of results." He explained that he does not think about timelines or messages from the club's hierarchy because his focus is on restoring the required standard of performances.

Carrick made it clear he is ready to carry the responsibility and is not looking for scapegoats. "It's not about blaming people. It's about finding solutions," he said, adding that he accepts criticism directed at him without any problem.

Arsenal's Max Dowman shines with a historic Carabao Cup double

Mikel Arteta praised Max Dowman's "extraordinary" transition from schoolboy to first-team squad member after the 16-year-old scored twice in Arsenal's Carabao Cup win over Ipswich. He became the first player of his age to score a double for a Premier League club since Wayne Rooney in October 2002.

Dowman completed his GCSEs in the summer and will now study for a BTec after deciding against taking A-Levels. He has trained with the senior squad since the age of 14, and Arteta highlighted how well the midfielder and his family have handled the demands of balancing education with elite football.

Dowman in line for Brighton bench as loan options wait until January

Dowman is pushing for a place on the bench for Saturday's match against Brighton, where Arsenal will attempt to win their eighth consecutive game to open the season for the first time since 1903. Arteta believes more opportunities will come soon and said the best way to knock on the door is to perform on the pitch rather than in the office.

Premier League rules prevent clubs from loaning out players under 17, although Luton are understood to have shown interest in Dowman. Jack Wilshere, now in charge at Luton, coached him in Arsenal's under-18s. Arteta did not close the door on a January exit, when Dowman will turn 17, but insisted the immediate focus is on staying and helping the team.

De Zerbi backs Tonali as Tottenham adaptation continues

Roberto De Zerbi says Sandro Tonali is not feeling the pressure of becoming Tottenham's most expensive signing. The Italian midfielder joined from Newcastle for £92.5m in the summer, but his early-season performances have not yet matched expectations.

Tonali has started all four Premier League matches, with Spurs drawing twice and losing twice without scoring a single league goal. He has created only three chances and his defensive numbers have underwhelmed. De Zerbi said he has already spoken to the 26-year-old and believes the player does not feel burdened by his price tag.

The adaptation has been not so fast, but it can happen. It is not so easy to change city, to change everything, for the players. Sometimes the adaptation is immediate, sometimes you need more time.

Calvert-Lewin earns England recall: 'like a good wine'

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been included in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the upcoming Nations League matches. The 29-year-old striker has scored four goals in six appearances for Leeds this season after arriving on a free transfer from Everton in August last year.

Daniel Farke compared his development to a good wine that gets better with age and said the striker is physically at a very high level. Calvert-Lewin received a standing ovation from Elland Road fans when he was substituted during Monday's 4-1 win over Newcastle.