Michael Carrick will be working to identify the mistakes Manchester United made in his first loss as manager. The team’s earlier FA Cup exit means that the squad are not in action until next weekend.

As other clubs plot their route to a Wembley final, the United boss will want to ensure his side are well-prepared for their crucial upcoming match against Aston Villa. The two clubs are level on points, with the Red Devils sitting above Unai Emery’s side on goal difference.

A remarkable run of six wins in seven games pushed the team firmly into Champions League contention before losing to Newcastle on Wednesday. It was the first blip of Carrick’s tenure and the reaction to the result has divided opinion.

Away from Old Trafford, a Barcelona star has suggested where United went wrong in their handling of Marcus Rashford. Here, Mirror Foobtall takes a look at some of the latest news surrounding the club.

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Robert Lewandowski has explained why he believes his Barcelona team-mate Marcus Rashford has rediscovered his best form at the club. The 28-year-old, who last played for United in December 2024, has thrived since arriving in Spain.

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Barcelona have the option to sign the England international permanently for £26million and the forward has shone at his parent club. Lewandowski has suggested that United’s differing approach to managing Rashford led to his performances suffering.

"Marcus is the guy, if you give him confidence and he sees that you believe in him, he can give you back 200 per cent," the Poland international told Sky Sports. "He's a very nice guy. We spoke because we are sitting in the dressing room beside [each other]. We also play ping-pong.

"I see that this guy is very kind, very nice guy but also because of this he needs someone standing behind him. If he does have this confidence he can really play his best football and on the best level.

"He has huge potential. He has everything. He has speed, he has technique, he has a shot, he has left foot, right foot, skills."

Patrice Evra has admitted his confusion over the reaction of some United icons following the team’s loss to Newcastle. His former team-mate Carrick has helped rejuvenate the club’s season but that does not mean the new manager has escaped criticism.

After the Newcastle result, United legend Paul Scholes hit out at the head coach. In an Instagram story, which has since been deleted, he wrote: "United have been crap last four games... night." Evra has questioned why Scholes and other United heroes have not fully got behind Carrick.

"I hope Paul Scholes' Instagram story is fake," Evra told gambling website Stake. "I hope he was hacked. To be honest, I'm not surprised at that from Scholesy. He was the quietest player I've ever played with in my entire career. Now, in the media, he drops bombshells.

"I really don't understand the lack of support behind Michael Carrick, he's one of us and he's doing very well. There's been negative analysis from Scholesy, but also from Roy Keane and Gary Neville.

"It annoys me because we want to be in the top four, and those comments are unnecessary, but this is what you do when you work in TV. You can't be positive, you have to be negative."