Before we return back to domestic leagues and European club football, let's talk about the internationals. Lee Carsley, promoted from the Under 21 European Championship winning team proudly stepped in as manager of England given Gareth Southgate's resignation in the summer. For now Carsely is the interim manager and the FA has confirmed that he will manage at least six UEFA Nations League games before any decision is made to make his role permanent. However after his two opening victories in beating the Republic of Ireland and Finland his call for the job will be made even stronger. It is true that both Ireland and Finland are not exactly the strongest opposition to face but at this stage you can only beat who is in front of you. The first half over Ireland was confident, free flowing and really showed the gulf in class between the two sides. Ireland played like a dizzying version of a First Division side in the mid 1980s, England were fluent and exciting. That play did diminish as the game went on but it was a game well over in the first half and England ran out 2-0 winners.
A few days later England repeated that scoreline at home against Finland. This was with an added difference though with both goals coming from forward and captain Harry Kane. Kane had not scored against the Irish and his play was criticised- it is true that Kane can go quiet at times which has haunted him somewhat over the past 18 months. It is also true that fans have been debating if Kane is past it at this level? This seems odd given that he has just come from a season with Bayern Munich having scored 36 goals from 32 games and breaking records there in his debut season in Germany. Over the supposed drop down in the past 18 months he has scored 15 goals in 20 games for England. The 9 he scored in 2023 was ranked his 3rd best year for England out of 10. Kane is 31 and perhaps some will think 31 is getting on for a forward. Possibly for some it is, but through training techniques, diet, sports science and an absolute hunger and desire for playing we are seeing sports people last longer. Cristiano Ronaldo is a fantastic example, he is still going strong and his last minute goal beat the Scottish during the week to record his 901st goal of his career- he is of course 8 years older than Kane. Maybe Kane will drop off years before Ronaldo has but one would imagine that the world class striker and that is who he is still has a number of years at the very top that would see him compete in a couple more World Cups and European Championships at least. On Tuesday as he scored his brace to put his record breaking goal tally for England at 68 he also celebrated his 100th cap for the nation and of course a 68% goal rate, which is simply phenomenal.
UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE WINNER: Spain 4.00, France 7.00, Germany 7.50, Portugal 7.50, Italy 8.00
Erik ten Hag is under immense pressure as manager of Manchester United. Ten Hag looked to have lost his job towards the end of last season but was given another chance this season due to United not only winning the FA Cup but beating their rivals Manchester City. This was a high point for Ten Hag and the fans and that cannot be denied, but the cracks had been showing in that season as United by their standards and the quality of players they have at their disposal were fairly average. This season has started in that vein too, with two defeats from three games played. They were completely outplayed at home to Liverpool in losing 3-0, and the week prior had lost against Brighton. Even in United's first game of the season at home to Fulham they looked second best but came away with a 1-0 victory. This weekend they will face Southampton away, and will also face Crystal Palace away and then Tottenham at home in the league. One would feel that anything less than at least 3 points from those games, and that means at least all draws and no defeats and Ten Hag may be given the door by the end of this month. Performances will have to improve ten fold, but history tells us that Ten Hag is looking like a dead manager walking.
To be sacked next: Erik ten Hag 4.00, Sean Dyche 4.00, Enzo Maresca 9.00, Russell Martin 15.00, Steve Cooper 15.00
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