Yesterday's results & headlines

Manchester United's season hit a new low in the Champions League on Thursday, thrashed 4-1 away to Como. The result stretches Michael Carrick's winless run as head coach to seven matches, and Telegraph Sport reports that Julian Nagelsmann is now the frontrunner to replace him should the club pull the trigger in the coming days.

Arsenal avoided a similarly chastening night in Munich, battling to a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich thanks in part to a Declan Rice contribution, though the point was overshadowed by a worrying injury to Bukayo Saka, who went off inside ten minutes. Elsewhere in Europe, Real Madrid eased to a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig to maintain their perfect start to the league phase.

In the Premier League's last round of fixtures, Liverpool won 2-1 at Brentford, Chelsea won 2-0 at Everton, Fulham edged Hull City 1-0, and Manchester City beat Ipswich Town 3-2 at the Etihad.

Racing round-up

All eyes in the jumps world turn to Prestbury Park today, with Cheltenham staging its first fixture of the new National Hunt season — a traditional marker that the build-up to the Festival season has officially begun.

Today's fixtures & previews

Football

Ipswich Town host Nottingham Forest at Portman Road this evening, kick-off 20:00 BST, live on Sky Sports. Forest arrive as narrow favourites despite their own troubles, with both sides anxious to pull away from the bottom of the table. Lower down the pyramid, the Championship sees Bolton Wanderers host Middlesbrough, while Premier League 2 fixtures include Everton U21 v Wolves U21 and Manchester City U21 v Stoke City U21.

Horse racing

It's a four-card Friday for British racing. Cheltenham opens its new jumps campaign with a seven-race card from 13:15, headlined by the Grade 2 Sharp Novices' Hurdle at 15:00, where the unbeaten Planters Punch, ridden by Nico de Boinville for Nicky Henderson, heads the market. On the Flat, Doncaster runs an eight-race card from early afternoon, Newbury stages six races, and Wolverhampton rounds off the day with a nine-race card on the all-weather under lights.

Weekend preview

Looking ahead, Arsenal's injury-hit squad host Everton at the Emirates on Saturday, while Manchester City travel to Villa Park chasing an eighth straight league win, with Erling Haaland declared fit for the trip.

Betting tips & odds analysis

Player news & injury updates

Arsenal sweat on Saka

Arsenal's trip to Bayern Munich brought fresh injury worry after Bukayo Saka was substituted inside ten minutes with a quad problem. Manager Mikel Arteta said afterwards the injury "doesn't look good at all," leaving the club waiting on scans. There was better news on other fronts: Piero Hincapié is pencilled in for a possible return against Everton on Saturday, while Christos Tzolis, sidelined with a muscle injury, is said to be making encouraging progress and could be back before the end of the month.

Carrick under pressure at Old Trafford

Thursday's 4-1 defeat at Como has left Michael Carrick's position under serious scrutiny, with his side now winless in seven. Telegraph Sport names Julian Nagelsmann as the leading candidate should United move to change head coach.

Villa duo in the treatment room

Aston Villa will assess Matteo Ruggeri, expected to be sidelined for more than a month with a thigh injury, ahead of Saturday's visit of Manchester City. Johan Manzambi is more optimistic news, with a possible return date for the same fixture.

Bournemouth without Semenyo until December

Antoine Semenyo is set for a lengthy spell out with a knee injury, with his club not expecting him back until mid-December — a significant blow given his form this season.