Managers

In the build up to Manchester United’s top-of-the-table Champions League Group F clash with Villarreal at El Madrigal, caretaker manager Michael Carrick revealed that his revolution would be a subtle one; blink and you just might miss it.

“Obviously I’ve worked closely with Ole for a long time now and we do have very similar beliefs,” the defeatist inside Carrick said. “We did as players and we certainly do as coaches and manager so, yes of course, I’ve got my own personality to Ole, but it’s very similar.”

Manchester United sacked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday, a day after a fifth defeat in seven Premier League games left the Old Trafford club seventh in the standings.

Following is a fact-box on the highs and lows of the Norwegian's time at the club:

HIGHS

Dec. 19, 2018

Appointed United's caretaker manager to replace José Mourinho for the rest of the season, marking a return to the club where he won six league titles and the Champions League as a player.

Christian Pulisic is in fine scoring form as the American has scored for club and country in the last eight days. This Pulisic goal vs Leicester during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory was his first Premier League goal since opening day in August.

Pulisic Goal Vs Leicester City

Chelsea had a dominating performance against the Foxes with first-half goals from Antonio Rüdiger and N’Golo Kanté to give the Blues an early lead.

Thomas Tuchel decided to change things up front for his team in the 62nd minute with Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech coming on.

BERLIN — Werder Bremen coach Markus Anfang has denied using a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate after an investigation was launched by German authorities, the club said.

Werder, playing in Germany's second division this season, said an investigation was under way but the coach had denied allegations he used a fake certificate following a meeting with club bosses late on Thursday evening.

"On Thursday evening the management of SV Werder Bremen was informed of an ongoing investigation into an alleged use of a forged vaccination certificate by Markus Anfang," Werder said.

BARCELONA - After a nerve-wracking last World Cup qualifier for Spain as they booked their place at next year's finals by beating Sweden 1-0, LaLiga returns this weekend with all eyes on Barcelona.

New manager Xavi Hernández will take charge of the team in the Catalonia derby against Espanyol on Saturday and three days later Barca host Benfica in a game that could secure their place in the Champions League last 16.

On Sunday in front of 65,000 faithful at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal — needing only a draw to qualify for the World Cup — threw it all away in the 90th minute by allowing Aleksandar Mitrović to convert a back post header that sent Serbia to Qatar instead.

AMSTERDAM — Veteran Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal suffered a hip injury when he fell off his bicycle on Sunday but will be able to coach his team in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Norway in Rotterdam.

Van Gaal, who was cycling near the team hotel when he fell and was taken to hospital for tests, used a golf cart to conduct Monday's training before the Group G decider, where the Dutch need a draw to seal a place at next year's finals in Qatar.