Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu have given Michael Carrick something to think about ahead of Manchester United’s return to Premier League action

Manchester United duo Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu were both on target for Cameroon and Denmark respectively during the international break, providing under-pressure head coach Michael Carrick with an encouraging reminder of the attacking options at his disposal. Carrick is beginning to feel the pressure, with United winning just two of their seven matches in all competitions this season.

Those victories came against Ipswich Town in the Premier League and Sabah in the Champions League, while they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham in their final game before the international break. It is not just the results that have raised concerns, but also the quality of the opposition and the manner of some of United’s defeats.

Performances have not been good enough, with issues evident at both ends of the pitch. Defensively, United have looked vulnerable, while questions have also been raised about their fitness levels.

After the international break, United return to action against Tottenham at Old Trafford in a fixture that could have major implications for Carrick. It is a game United will be desperate to avoid losing.

A victory would go some way towards easing the pressure on Carrick, while anything less could see the scrutiny intensify once again. Things then become even more challenging, with United facing a demanding run of away fixtures against Atletico Madrid, Leeds United and Como in the space of just over a week.

It may be too early to describe that run as make or break, but if things do not go to plan against Spurs, it could quickly start to feel that way.

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There is little point getting caught up in hypotheticals over what each result might mean just yet, but there is no denying that the next couple of weeks could prove hugely important for Carrick and his United project.

With Carrick reportedly given just a handful of games to save his Manchester United job, criticised duo Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sent their boss a timely message during the international break by both finding the net. Dorgu even produced a stunning strike from the right wing.

While both players have faced their share of criticism this season, their goals provided a timely reminder that they can be relied upon to deliver in front of goal when the Reds need them most.

They will now be hoping to carry that goalscoring form into United’s crucial clash with Tottenham on October 10 (5:30pm).

Mbeumo’s Cameroon beat Comoros 3-1, while Dorgu’s Denmark suffered a 3-2 defeat to Erling Haaland’s Norway.

The Super Eagles are expected to have enough attacking quality and home support to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a win when they face Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, September 25.

Éric Chelle’s side will host the Barea at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00pm Nigerian time.

Nigeria will be without Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out with a muscle injury, but Chelle still has several attacking options available, including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams.

Nigeria vs Madagascar Preview

Friday’s Group L match is an important one for both teams. Tanzania have already qualified as one of the hosts of AFCON 2027, leaving Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau competing for the remaining qualification place in the group.

That makes a strong start important for Nigeria, especially with the Super Eagles set to face Guinea-Bissau four days after Friday’s match.

Nigeria come into the game with some encouraging recent results. The Super Eagles defeated Iran 2–1, Zimbabwe 2–0 and Jamaica 3–0 before drawing 2–2 with Poland and losing narrowly to Portugal.

Madagascar have also produced some good results, beating Kyrgyzstan 5–2, Equatorial Guinea 2–0 and Comoros 2–1. However, they lost 4–0 to Morocco in June.

Head-to-Head

Nigeria have won three of their five previous meetings with Madagascar, while one match ended in a draw.

Madagascar’s only victory came in the most recent meeting between the teams, when the Barea defeated Nigeria 2–0 at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

That result will serve as a reminder that the Super Eagles cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.

Team News

Osimhen will miss the match after being ruled out with injury, with Taiwo Awoniyi called up as his replacement.

Chelle still has an experienced squad featuring Lookman, Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and Stanley Nwabali.

Isaac James and George Ilenikhena are also in line to make their senior international debuts.

Madagascar will look to experienced players such as Rayan Raveloson, Marco Ilaimaharitra, Loïc Lapoussin and Warren Caddy for inspiration.

Prediction: Nigeria 2–0 Madagascar

Nigeria’s attacking options should give them an advantage, even without Osimhen.

Lookman can provide a threat from wide areas, while Iwobi offers creativity in midfield. The Super Eagles also have several options in attack who can trouble the Madagascar defence.

The Barea have enough quality to make the game competitive, but Nigeria’s home advantage and greater experience could help Chelle’s side secure all three points.

Former WWE star Mandy Rose is married to former NFL player and WWE superstar Sabby Piscitelli. The couple recently welcomed their first child, a son. In a recent Instagram video, Piscitelli posted footage of Mandy filming the baby monitor as he lovingly admired their newborn.

The video showed Piscitelli sharing a quiet, intimate moment as he leaned over his newborn son’s bassinet and talked to him with nothing but care. Mandy Rose filmed the moment, showing her husband handling fatherhood with the softest touch.

“When your wife catches you on the baby camera admiring God’s greatest gift, my son.. Life’s changed forever since my son has arrived.🙏🏻😂😂,” wrote Sabby Piscitelli.

In her previous posts, Mandy said Sabby would help with things like feeding the baby and changing diapers. She added that she didn’t want to get back to her daily routine immediately, as she wanted to spend time with her son.

Mandy Rose reflected on her postpartum experience

Mandy Rose recently reflected on her journey into motherhood, opening up about the physical and emotional realities of giving birth. Speaking on TMZ’s Inside the Ring, Rose admitted she experienced a brief panic attack when seeing her post-pregnancy body in the mirror for the first time.

“Don’t get me wrong, when I got home from the hospital after my whole birth experience, um, it was wild. You know, I looked in the mirror and I had a little bit of like, a panic attack. Of course, it’s I have this beautiful child and super healthy and that’s all you ever all you ever want, right? But then you look at your body and you’re like, “Whoa, like what what happened,’ you know? And it’s it’s (…) and then your hormones are dropping, and it’s just like a whole crazy situation,” said Mandy Rose.

Despite initial anxiety, Rose noted that her physique began to recover just weeks later. The former NXT Women’s Champion credited her genetics, intense pre-pregnancy training, and an active lifestyle for the quick recovery.