Premier League 2026/27 Matchweek 8 Recap: Man United vs Bournemouth 0-3, Leeds Draw at Sunderland

Man United vs Bournemouth: Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick waves to the fans after the 3-0 home defeat at Old Trafford.

Man United vs Bournemouth 0-3: Booed Off at Old Trafford

Michael Carrick left captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench after Bruno's public comments about the tactics. Without him, United had no ideas. Bournemouth had plenty. Rayan turned in a Justin Kluivert free-kick at the far post on 38 minutes, and Marcus Tavernier made it 2-0 on 43 after Leny Yoro slipped. Slipped. At home. Against Bournemouth.

Evanilson beat Senne Lammens to the ball for the third on 71 minutes, and the second half was a long walk to the exit. The players were booed off. Carrick was applauded, which tells you where the fans put the blame. Most of the anger in the Stretford End went to the owners and the front office. Sitting on the bench, Bruno must have felt like the only guy who skipped a bad party.

The numbers are ugly. That's one league win in eight, the worst start in over 40 years according to NBC Sports, and 7 points from a possible 24. Remember, Carrick took this team to third place last season. Midweek was no better: United lost 4-1 at Como on Wednesday in the Champions League. Nico Paz scored twice and Joshua Zirkzee got a late consolation goal.

Carrick was asked about his future and said he doesn't know. On Tuesday, Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada decided to keep him in charge for now, according to The Irish Times, but Saturday at Chelsea could decide it. As a fan, I don't think a new manager fixes everything. But something has to change before Saturday.

Leeds Hold On at Sunderland

Leeds United drew 0-0 at Sunderland on Sunday. A point away from home is never bad, but Sunderland are bottom of the table, so Daniel Farke will want more next time. Leeds are 7th with 11 points, four points and nine places above United. Yes, I checked twice.

Premier League Title Race: Villa Beat City, Arsenal Draw Level

The weekend's other big shock came at Villa Park. Nicolas Jackson scored twice, on 6 and 60 minutes, as Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1. Erling Haaland's header made it close, but it was City's first league defeat of the season. Arsenal made them pay with a rotated team, beating Everton 2-0 through Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhães. City and Arsenal are level on 21 points, with City top on goal difference.

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur won 2-0 at Chelsea for their first league win at Stamford Bridge since 2017-18. Mike Penders punched a corner into his own net on 77 minutes, Cole Palmer was sent off for a second yellow, and Mathys Tel finished it with a solo goal late on. Xabi Alonso's Chelsea are 5th. Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 and are 4th, one point behind the Seagulls.

So that's the weekend. United are 16th with 7 points, Leeds are 7th, and City and Arsenal are level at the top on 21. Carrick gets Chelsea away, then Roma at home, with a lot of people watching. Me included, from Utah, with fresh coffee this time.

Verdicts

• Man United: Dropping Bruno was a big call, and losing 3-0 without him made it look worse. This is a crisis now, not a bad patch.
• Leeds: A clean sheet is a clean sheet. But you have to beat the bottom team sometimes.
• Title race: One loss and City are level with Arsenal. This one goes to May.

Up next: Man United at Chelsea, then Roma at Old Trafford in the Champions League. Leeds at Bournemouth.