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Wednesday’s briefing: Carrick steps up and Semenyo fires City towards Wembley
Manchester United appointed Michael Carrick as head coach until the end of the season.
Antoine Semenyo scored for the second successive game following his arrival from Bournemouth as Manchester City won at Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Elsewhere, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and new Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa were preparing for big cup games.
Carrick sets standards for United
New Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick made a rallying cry after his appointment with Champions League qualification the aim at Old Trafford.
United find themselves seventh in the aftermath of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, with Carrick handed the first-team reins for the rest of a season focused on European qualification, with United in the midst of a first season without continental football since 2014-15.
“My focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing,” said Carrick, who won trophies aplenty across 464 appearances for United before starting his coaching career at the club.
“I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years. I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here. There is still a lot to fight for this season.”
Semenyo and City strike semi-final blow
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) January 13, 2026
Antoine Semenyo’s scoring start to life at Manchester City continued as Pep Guardiola’s side beat Newcastle 2-0 to put one foot in the Carabao Cup final.
The Ghana winger was on target on his debut in Saturday’s 10-1 FA Cup demolition of Exeter following his £62.5million arrival.
Semenyo struck eight minutes after half-time and had another effort disallowed by VAR but substitute Rayan Cherki added another at the death to ensure City will defend a healthy lead in February 4’s second leg.
“I’ve enjoyed it so far, I’m definitely picking up things very quickly,” Semenyo told Sky Sports.
“I’m taking the confidence I had from Bournemouth and playing with a smile on my face.”
Arteta up for the cup
Mikel Arteta said it is his “mission” to knock Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup and deliver Arsenal’s first major trophy in almost six years.
The Gunners are on course for a memorable – if not historic – season as they are presently top of the Premier League and Champions League standings.
But Arsenal failed to progress to the final of the Carabao Cup last year following an emphatic 4-0 aggregate defeat by Newcastle which still rankles at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta said: “Hopefully we have learned from last year because it was painful, especially in the manner that the games went, and the amount of chances we missed to go through. So this year we want to be better and more efficient.
“When you get to this stage in the competition, you get to the final, and you get it over the line and win it, it brings a different kind of energy.”
Arbeloa ready for Real Madrid test
💬 A special day for @AArbeloa17. pic.twitter.com/NQMHPRFLF6
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 13, 2026
New Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa says he is not concerned about being undermined by the players as he succeeds Xabi Alonso at the Bernabeu.
Former Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso departed on Monday, just seven months into his tenure.
Real trail defending LaLiga champions Barcelona by four points and lost to Hansi Flick’s side in the Spanish Super Cup for the second year running on Sunday.
“I have a lot of enthusiasm to start my first game, when we will play with everything on the line,” said Arbeloa.
Asked how he planned to handle the squad’s bigger names – some of whom appeared to undermine Alonso’s authority – Arbeloa said: “It’s not something that worries me too much.
“We have a squad with great players, and they’re all really good guys. No one is more interested in winning titles than the players themselves.”
What’s on today?
Up next, it’s the first leg of our Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal. 💪 pic.twitter.com/SAIc1UeFv0
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 13, 2026
Liam Rosenior faces his biggest test as Chelsea manager with Arsenal making the short trip across London for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
It is a big night in the William Hill Scottish Premiership with leaders Hearts at home to St Mirren and third-placed Celtic – who are six points off top spot – away to Falkirk.
Mohamed Salah’s Egypt are in Africa Cup of Nations semi-final action against Senegal, while Arbeloa’s first game in charge of Real comes at second-tier Albacete in the Copa del Rey.
