John Brewin
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Writer/editor/talker found on the @Guardian_Sport desk and the Football Weekly podcast | @podcast_libero member | freelancer
Articles by John Brewin
An unmanageable club? Carrick the latest to suffer in Manchester United's faded grandeur
Should any football club fit the Great Man theory of history it is Manchester United. In the past 100 years, only Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson have knocked the club into shape. A pair of 20th-century Scotsmen, born 15 miles apart in Bellshill and Govan respectively, found the key. Otherwise, United has been a managerial dustbin, Michael Carrick the latest likely lobbed on the pile.
An unmanageable club? Carrick the latest to suffer in Manchester United’s faded grandeur
An unmanageable club? Carrick the latest to suffer in Manchester United’s faded grandeur Manchester United managers past and present: Matt Busby (top left), Frank O'Farrell (bottom left), Tommy Docherty (third left), Michael Carrick (centre), David Moyes (third right), Erik ten Hag (bottom right) and Alex Ferguson.
An unmanageable club? Carrick the latest to suffer in Manchester United’s faded grandeur
Formula 1 NASCAR IndyCar MotoGP Yahoo Racing is powered by Motorsport Network, providing expert reporting, analysis, and insider access across the world’s top racing series. An unmanageable club? Carrick the latest to suffer in Manchester United’s faded grandeur Manchester United managers past and present: Matt Busby (top left), Frank O'Farrell (bottom left), Tommy Docherty (third left), Michael Carrick (centre), David Moyes (third right), Erik ten Hag (bottom right) and Alex Ferguson.
An unmanageable club? Carrick the latest to suffer in Manchester United’s faded grandeur
Manchester United managers past and present: Matt Busby (top left), Frank O'Farrell (bottom left), Tommy Docherty (third left), Michael Carrick (centre), David Moyes (third right), Erik ten Hag (bottom right) and Alex Ferguson.Composite: Guardian Pictures; Popperfoto/Getty Images; PA; Tom Jenkins/The Guardian; Action Images; Shutterstock; Reuters Should any football club fit the Great Man theory of history it is Manchester United.
An unmanageable club? Carrick the latest to suffer in Manchester United’s faded grandeur
Manchester United managers past and present: Matt Busby (top left), Frank O'Farrell (bottom left), Tommy Docherty (third left), Michael Carrick (centre), David Moyes (third right), Erik ten Hag (bottom right) and Alex Ferguson. Composite: Guardian Pictures; Popperfoto/Getty Images; PA; Tom Jenkins/The Guardian; Action Images; Shutterstock; Reuters Should any football club fit the Great Man theory of history it is Manchester United.
United’s cycle of hope followed by failure claims another patsy in Carrick
Michael Carrick will likely get sacked by Manchester United, if he has not been already. Photograph: Matt West/Shutterstock BLAME GAME HAS NO WINNERS By the time you’re reading this, Michael Carrick will probably have been sacked. If not, it will happen soon enough. Who to blame? The people have spoken.
United’s cycle of hope followed by failure claims another patsy in Carrick Original
By the time you're reading this, Michael Carrick will probably have been sacked. If not, it will happen soon enough. Who to blame? The people have spoken. Acknowledging supporters after Manchester United did their usual and got pumped by Bournemouth to send the latest patsy handed the reins towards the door marked "Do One", Carrick was applauded by the Stretford End, and Old Trafford's stands east, south and north.
Carrick clinging on as Manchester United host Bournemouth, clásico buildup and more – matchday live
Aggie Beever-Jones; Rio Ngumoha; Benjamin Nygren. Composite: Guardian Pictures (via Getty / REX) So then, Manchester United. Jamie Jackson considers the possible options for Michael Carrick. Fernandes’s open questioning of the tactics is a challenge to the head coach’s authority and we wait to see how/if Carrick will face it down. If Carrick acts and proves he is not a lame duck then even if he is removed a favour is done for his successor.
š§ The Football Interview: Dyche
Viewed in 2026, Nathan Barley, Chris Morrisās 2005 sitcom, shows remarkable prescience about the last two decades of metropolitan life, from smartphone addiction and digital derangement to sheer existential vapidity. When Barleyās character referred to his occupation as āself-facilitating media nodeā, Morris and co-writer Charlie Brooker were way ahead on the creator economy. What the pair failed to predict was ex-footballers joining the sector in droves.
Enciso rescues point in storm for Ipswich to deny Nottingham Forest
Amid a Suffolk squall, winds whipping, a constant drum of rain, an encounter full of half-chances, mistakes, the obligatory refereeing controversy and searching questions. Do Ipswich possess the stones to deal with the big league? Perhaps so. How long can Nottingham Forest's dip sustain before their president, Evangelos Marinakis, takes his usual course of action. Perhaps not much longer.
Enciso rescues point in storm for Ipswich to deny Nottingham Forest
Amid a Suffolk squall, winds whipping in, a constant drum of rain, an encounter full of half-chances, mistakes and questions. Do Ipswich have the stones to deal with the big league this time? Perhaps so. How long can Nottingham Forest’s dip sustain before their president, Evangelos Marinakis, takes his usual course of action. Perhaps not much longer. Ipswich’s Gary O’Neil should be the happier manager, Forest creating the cleaner opportunities, only for familiar failings to count against them.
Enciso rescues point in storm for Ipswich to deny Nottingham Forest
Julio Enciso slots in Ipswich’s equaliser. Photograph: Keeran Marquis/SPP/Shutterstock Amid a Suffolk squall, winds whipping in, a constant drum of rain, an encounter full of half-chances, mistakes and questions. Do Ipswich have the stones to deal with the big league this time? Perhaps so. How long can Nottingham Forest’s dip sustain before their president, Evangelos Marinakis, takes his usual course of action. Perhaps not much longer.
Champions League review: PSG take a hit, Man City's empty seats and teenage hope for Liverpool
A big week for … Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 4-2 on Tuesday , but the reigning champions lost the best player in last season's tournament, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. This autumn has seen much lobbying for the Ballon d'Or, with the Georgian a popular choice, despite his absence from the World Cup.
Champions League review: PSG take a hit, Man City’s empty seats and teenage hope for Liverpool
Phil Foden, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Rio Ngumoha made headlines this week. Composite: Getty, Reuters, Shutterstock A big week for … Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 4-2 on Tuesday, but the reigning champions lost the best player in last season’s tournament, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. This autumn has seen much lobbying for the Ballon d’Or, with the Georgian a popular choice, despite his absence from the World Cup.
Too much overlap? Gary Neville's podcast empire knows no bounds
Viewed in 2026, Nathan Barley, Chris Morris's 2005 sitcom, shows remarkable prescience about the last two decades of metropolitan life, from smartphone addiction and digital derangement to sheer existential vapidity. When Barley's character referred to his occupation as “self-facilitating media node”, Morris and co-writer Charlie Brooker were way ahead on the creator economy. What the pair failed to predict was ex-footballers joining the sector in droves.
Too much Overlap? Gary Neville’s podcast empire knows no bounds
Ian Wright (left) and Gary Neville have helped give The Overlap a TV family dynamic. Photograph: The Overlap Viewed in 2026, Nathan Barley, Chris Morris’s 2005 sitcom, shows remarkable prescience about the last two decades of metropolitan life, from smartphone addiction and digital derangement to sheer existential vapidity. When Barley’s character referred to his occupation as “self-facilitating media node”, Morris and co-writer Charlie Brooker were way ahead on the creator economy.
Kulusevski and Maddison return to form but are Tottenham also back?
James Maddison (right) pops one into the top bin to give Tottenham the lead against Coventry. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters MAD FOR IT As Tottenham edged to victory over Coventry, a familiar face among the post-match salutations. Could that be Dejan Kulusevski? For it was he, playing 526 days since his last Spurs appearance. Much has changed though still much stays the same. Ben Davies’s deflected late clincher catapulted Spurs up to … 16th.
Kulusevski and Maddison return to form but are Tottenham also back? Original
As Tottenham edged to victory over Coventry, a familiar face among the post-match salutations. Could that be Dejan Kulusevski? For it was he, playing 526 days since his last Spurs appearance. Much has changed though still much stays the same. Ben Davies's deflected late clincher catapulted Spurs up to … 16th. When Kulusevski last played on 11 May 2025, Tottenham were 17th, the position in which they finished both that season and in 2025-26. So what has changed?
Evanilson seals Bournemouth’s win against Sunderland after Danso sees red
Bournemouth's and Marco Rose's wait for a Premier League win is over. Sunderland, locked in the bottom three, are becoming this season's object lesson in travelling too far too fast. Sixth and seventh last season, that both teams have struggled domestically while cruising in the Europa League speaks to a continental drift where talent from mid-range but historically grander clubs is readily picked off by Premier League clubs.
Evanilson seals Bournemouth’s win against Sunderland after Danso sees red
Evanilson doubles Bournemouth’s lead after taking the ball past the Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs. Photograph: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth/Getty Images Bournemouth’s and Marco Rose’s wait for a Premier League win is over. Sunderland, locked in the bottom three, are becoming this season’s object lesson in travelling too far too fast.
Evanilson seals Bournemouth’s win against Sunderland after Danso sees red
Evanilson seals Bournemouth’s win against Sunderland after Danso sees red Evanilson doubles Bournemouth's lead after taking the ball past the Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs. Photograph: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth/Getty Images Bournemouth's and Marco Rose's wait for a Premier League win is over. Sunderland, locked in the bottom three, are becoming this season's object lesson in travelling too far too fast.
Evanilson seals Bournemouth’s win against Sunderland after Danso sees red
Bournemouth’s and Marco Rose’s wait for a Premier League win is over. Sunderland, locked in the bottom three, are becoming this season’s object lesson in travelling too far too fast. Sixth and seventh last season, that both teams have struggled domestically while cruising in the Europa League speaks to a continental drift where talent from mid-range but historically grander clubs is readily picked off by Premier League clubs.
Boos at Arsenal as draw with Birmingham extends winless WSL run
An equaliser from Olivia Smith averted defeat for Arsenal, but a home draw with Birmingham did little to calm fears for Renée Slegers's future as Gunners coach. Boos accompanied the final whistle at the Emirates Stadium, as the result left Arsenal on six points from six matches and without a win in five Women's Super League matches, the club's longest winless run in WSL history. They are eighth in the table, nine points behind the leaders, Manchester City, who have played one game fewer.
Boos for Arsenal as Birmingham draw extends winless WSL run to deepen pressure on Slegers
Boos for Arsenal as Birmingham draw extends winless WSL run to deepen pressure on Slegers Renée Slegers's team have not won in the WSL since early September. Photograph: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC/Getty Images An equaliser from Olivia Smith averted defeat for Arsenal but their 1-1 home draw with Birmingham did little to calm fears for Renée Slegers' future as Gunners coach.
Boos for Arsenal as Birmingham draw extends winless WSL run to deepen pressure on Slegers
An equaliser from Olivia Smith averted defeat for Arsenal but their 1-1 home draw with Birmingham did little to calm fears for Renée Slegers' future as Gunners coach. Boos accompanied the final whistle at the Emirates, as a draw left Arsenal on six points from six matches, without a win in five Women's Super League matches, the club's longest winless run in WSL history. Slegers' team are eighth in the table, nine points behind leaders Manchester City, who have played one game fewer.
Boos for Arsenal as Birmingham draw extends winless WSL run to deepen pressure on Slegers
Renée Slegers’s team have not won in the WSL since early September. Photograph: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC/Getty Images An equaliser from Olivia Smith averted defeat for Arsenal but their 1-1 home draw with Birmingham did little to calm fears for Renée Slegers’ future as Gunners coach. Boos accompanied the final whistle at the Emirates, as a draw left Arsenal on six points from six matches, without a win in five Women’s Super League matches, the club’s longest winless run in WSL history.
Boos for Arsenal as Birmingham draw extends winless WSL run to deepen pressure on Slegers
An equaliser from Olivia Smith averted defeat for Arsenal but their 1-1 home draw with Birmingham did little to calm fears for Renée Slegers’ future as Gunners coach. Boos accompanied the final whistle at the Emirates, as a draw left Arsenal on six points from six matches, without a win in five Women’s Super League matches, the club’s longest winless run in WSL history. Slegers’ team are eighth in the table, nine points behind leaders Manchester City, who have played one game fewer.
Evanilson, Rayan and Rodríguez goals seal Bournemouth's historic home win in Europe
An impossible dream realised: the Vitality Stadium staging European football, where the Europa League is becoming an oasis for Bournemouth. No wins yet in the Premier League, but beating Sturm Graz following up winning away at Real Sociedad should calm the domestic pressures mounting on Marco Rose. A pair of Brazilians secured club history, with Evanilson's first-half header followed by Rayan's later drive, a clincher coming just as the Austrian visitors were pushing hard for an equaliser.
Champions League review: PSG's benchmark, Viking uprising and an Italian-German dilemma
A big week for Famous faces in the crowd for English teams' home matches on Wednesday. While Prince William delighted in his beloved Aston Villa's 6-0 romp over Fenerbahce , Pep Guardiola's Manchester City homecoming was spoiled by Paris Saint-Germain showing they still represent the benchmark in European club football this season.
Evanilson shocks Sturm Graz to spark Bournemouth’s first home win in Europe
Bournemouth’s Evanilson after opening the scoring with a looping header. Photograph: Tony O Brien/Reuters An impossible dream realised in the Vitality staging European football, and the Europa League is becoming an oasis for Bournemouth. No wins yet in the Premier League but in beating Sturm Graz to follow victory at Real Sociedad should ease the domestic pressures on Marco Rose.
Champions League review: PSG’s benchmark, Viking uprising and an Italian-German dilemma
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Atlético Madrid 2-0 Manchester United: Champions League – live reaction
LIVE – Updated at 22:06 A first-minute goal made United's task difficult and it got harder when Leny Yoro was red-carded in the second half. Goal! Atletico Madrid 2-0 Manchester United (Lookman, 79) And that caps it off. David's shot is saved, and it comes to Lookman, who slides it in. The two subs have won this game for Atletico, and lost it for United with the red card and that clinching goal. 81 min: Maguire's arrival is followed by a corner and an awful lot of pushing in the box.
Atlético Madrid v Manchester United: Champions League – live
LIVE – Updated at 21:11 Minute-by-minute report: Michael Carrick's underperforming side head to Spain for a tough assignment. Join John Brewin for updates. 51 min: Good, hard tackle by Baleba in midfield. Just what United have been missing? It will help if he can keep that up. 49 min: Rashford bobs and weaves but Simeone Jnr steps across to win the free-kick. He's a chip off the old block, learning all the tricks.
Atlético Madrid v Manchester United: Champions League – live
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes warms up for the game in Madrid. Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters 7.58pm BST The teams met in 1991 in the old European Cup Winners’ Cup, here’s the teams from the second leg. Atleti won 4-1 on aggregate.
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest, Hull v Everton, Southampton 1-0 Portsmouth: football – live
LIVE – Updated at 15:41 Join John Brewin for updates from the Sunday's early kick-offs in the Premier League and Championship. Hull 2-2 Everton: Hayden Hackney, previously the best player in the Championship, comes on for Maitland-Niles. Harrison Armstrong has departed for Jake O'Brien. Goal! Hull 2-2 Everton (Belloumi, 74) The Algerian has scored from the bench, having started as a sub because he was tired.
Southampton v Portsmouth, Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest, Hull v Everton: football – live
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Manchester United and Spurs come back to reality as City saga offers brief distraction
Turning back the clock is impossible. Up in the Stretford End's middle tier, the ticker had returned, a retouching job to “51 years” invoiced for the pertinent sum of £114. The Manchester City that existed before the Abu Dhabi project won their last trophy in 1976. Questionable maths is perhaps not confined to the Etihad's accounts department, though Manchester United's support must get their kicks where they can.
Draw brings no respite for Manchester United and Tottenham as crises continue
The Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick, could only see his side draw against 10-man Tottenham. Photograph: Shaun Brooks/CameraSport/Getty Images Turning back the clock is impossible. Up in the Stretford End’s middle tier, the ticker had returned, a retouching job to “51 years” invoiced for the pertinent sum of £114. The Manchester City that existed before the Abu Dhabi project won their last trophy in 1976.
Havertz, Isak, Dorgu … spate of injuries with national teams leaves sour taste for top clubs Original
A four-match international break has presented a stress test. "The intensity of the squad, the athleticism of it, really, I think it's designed for the elite," said the Wales head coach, Craig Bellamy, on the completion of four matches in 11 days. Elite club coaches would disagree.
Havertz, Isak, Dorgu … spate of injuries with national teams leaves sour taste for top clubs
Brian Brobbey, Kylian Mbappé and Kai Havertz all picked up injuries during the recent Nations League fixtures. Composite: EPA, Reuters, AFP/Getty A four-match international break has presented a stress test. “The intensity of the squad, the athleticism of it, really, I think it’s designed for the elite,” said the Wales head coach, Craig Bellamy, on the completion of four matches in 11 days. Elite club coaches would disagree.
Daniil Medvedev disqualified from China Open semi after hitting fan with ball
Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semi-final with Novak Djokovic on Monday after hitting a rebounding ball into the crowd that struck a spectator in the eye. The Russian world No 5 was trailing 7-5, 5-3 and had lost a point when, in frustration, he struck a ball that had come off a back wall. The spectator, sitting in the first row, clutched his left eye and appeared in pain as he left the gallery, assisted by stadium staff.
Daniil Medvedev disqualified from China Open semi after hitting fan with ball
A spectator is injured after Daniil Medvedev hit a ball into the crowd during his semi-final match against Novak Djokovic at the China Open. Photograph: Tingshu Wang/Reuters Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semi-final with Novak Djokovic on Monday after hitting a rebounding ball into the crowd that struck a spectator in the eye. The Russian world No 5 was trailing 7-5, 5-3 and had lost a point when, in frustration, he struck a ball that had come off a back wall.
Modric 'ashamed' after 7-0 defeat; Republic of Ireland v Israel tensions build; WSL updates – as it happened
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Modric 'ashamed' after 7-0 defeat; Republic of Ireland v Israel tensions build; WSL updates – as it happened
LIVE – Updated at 15:08 Nations League reaction to England romp and buildup before the fraught rematch between Republic of Ireland and Israel. With that, the blog is done, as we have live action in the WSL to follow and Nations League after that. Rejoin Rob Smyth. Related: Manchester City v Arsenal: Women's Super League – live Joe O'Callaghan interviewed the Canada coach.
Modric 'ashamed' after 7-0 defeat by England; Republic of Ireland v Israel tensions build – matchday live
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England on a high after historic Croatia rout; Republic of Ireland v Israel and WSL buildup: football – live
The scoreboard at Stadion HNK Rijeka in Croatia made pretty viewing for Thomas Tuchel and England. Photograph: Michael Regan/The FA/Getty Images Saturday’s Nations League results North Macedonia 0-2 Scotland Preamble Good morning, and welcome to coverage of the day’s football news, as we build up to another round of Nations League action, and continue to hear the fallout from the Manchester City saga. Sign up to read this article Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Croatia v England buildup; tempers flare at Ireland v Israel press conference – matchday live
LIVE – Updated at 15:26 Join our writers for all the latest before England and Scotland get to work against Croatia and North Macedonia, respectively, in the Nations League. That's a full-time score in the WSL: Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool. We're into the latter stages in the WSL , where Manchester United are beating Liverpool 1-0, via an early goal from Julia Zigiotti Olme. In League Two, it's finished Chesterfield 4-2 Tranmere. Almost time for the 3pms.
Croatia v England to be mainly full despite fan ban; Manchester City latest – matchday live
“It just goes to a process both in our departments and then UEFA to look at,” Hallgrimsson said. “I think it was something that was reported from both teams. I just hope that we can focus on football and that football will be the winner after this.
Manchester City lace up their gloves ready for another round. Bring your dinner
SECONDS OUT … Seven days after leaking out , the Manchester City saga has become a flood. Peace in our time has disappeared into the distance as football jurisprudence's longest-running case enters Defcon 1 lawfare.
Israel 0-3 Republic of Ireland, Germany 0-1 Greece, Norway 1-2 Portugal: Nations League – live
LIVE – Updated at 22:12 Get live reaction from Sunday evening's Nations League games with John Brewin as Jürgen Klopp's Germany were beaten at home by Greece. Stat via TNT Sports: 🥇Erling Haaland : 65 goals in 57 caps (1.14 goals per game) 🥈 Sándor Kocsis: 75 in 68 (1.10) 🥉 Gerd Müller: 68 in 62 (1.10) Some reaction from that Germany defeat. “I think the important thing is that we stand together and that won't change,” Germany defender Jonathan Tah told ARD.
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