The Ivory Coast international was one of the few Red Devils players who seemed to shine at times under Amorim, but ultimately his stint in charge was a very poor spell in the club’s history.
The Portuguese coach was dismissed in January and that has proved to be a good move from the Old Trafford hierarchy.
Carrick has stepped in as interim boss and the results have been vastly improved, with Manchester United returning to the Champions League next season.
Whether the former England midfielder will get the job permanently is yet to be announced, but Amad says the atmosphere in the dressing room is fantastic under Carrick and his staff.
Certainly a lot better than it was under the previous regime when he suggests that every mistake from a player caused an issue.
‘I think the biggest change maybe is because the team is now more impactful,’ Amad told Sky Sports. ‘Like in the dressing room, we are really together.
Michael Carrick has been a hit with the Manchester United players (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Every mistake is not a problem, your mistake is my mistake, so we are a team that doesn’t care if you do a mistake, you go again, so we go forward, we want to win as a team.
‘That’s something that changed the team, and I think it’s also because of Michael Carrick and his staff — don’t forget also Trav [coach Travis Binnion] and the other staff.
‘They are really important for the team, and they bring that kind of energy to the team, and that is very important.’
Under-21s coach Travis Binnion has stepped up to first team duties (Picture: Getty Images)
It would be very unlikely for current players to do anything but praise their manager, but it does seem that Carrick has the support of the squad to remain in his role next season.
‘Honestly, it’s not the player who decides who is going to stay here next season, but what I can say [is] everyone is happy to have him as manager,’ said the 23-year-old. ‘Everyone is with him.
‘He’s that manager who has a good relationship with every player, so we are really happy to have him as manager and, yeah, we will be happy if we have him next season as manager.’
Kobbie Mainoo scored Manchester United’s crucial third against Liverpool (Picture: Getty Images)
After scoring the winning goal in a 3-2 victory over Liverpool on Sunday, Kobbie Mainoo said the players could not be any more firmly behind the interim manager.
‘He’s [Carrick] played a huge part,’ the midfielder said of the Red Devils’ ressurgence. ‘The confidence in not just me but all the players.
‘You want to follow him and fight for him and die for him on the pitch. That’s what we showed today.’
Manchester United have little to play for in their remaining three games, but can cement at least third place when they go to Sunderland on Saturday.
Jamie Carragher is back to host the ceremony alongside Gabby Logan (Picture: Getty)
Jamie Carragher and Toni Duggan have hailed the continued growth of the Women’s Football Awards ahead of the fourth edition in London tonight.
Launched in 2022 in partnership with Metro, it has quickly become a major and influential awards event for women’s football across Britain and Europe
And the flagship event will once again celebrate the game’s brightest stars, trailblazers and game-changers – both on and off the pitch – in a star-studded event featuring many of the biggest names in the sport.
Former Liverpool defender Carragher will return to co-host the night for a fourth successive year, and is delighted to see how rapidly the awards have grown.
‘This night has just continued to flourished, hasn’t it,’ he told Metro ahead this year’s awards.
‘Over the last decade or so, women’s football feels like it’s getting bigger and bigger each year, and it’s been great to play my part with this night.
‘Once I got involved with it, I enjoyed it, and kept doing it. And as with the women’s game, each year the awards are growing and getting bigger and better.’
And Carragher believes that ‘internation flavour’ will only help the league become the standout product in women’s domestic football.
‘It’s similar to the men’s Premier League – you want the best of everything,’ he added. ‘You want the best players in the world, the best managers but also a pathway for young English players and obviously young English girls as well.
‘So it’s always about striking that right balance between the two. I don’t think you can probably ever get that perfect with lots of people’s eyes because we’re all probably want slightly different things.
Former England footballer Toni Duggan is an ambassador for the Women’s Football Awards (Picture: Getty)
‘But I think you do have to have that international favour in a league. We’ve seen the strength of the Premier League and that definitely only helps the WSL.’
Headlining the shortlist for the standout individual honour is Bunny Shaw, who has enjoyed another prolific season in front of goal for Manchester City.
The Jamaica international won Player of the Year back in 2024, and former Lionesses star Duggan, an ambassador for the Women’s Football Awards, would not be surprised to see the 29-year-old claim it again tonight.
‘She’s been absolutely incredible,’ Duggan told Metro. ‘I love Bunny as a player. I met with her recently for an interview, and even off the pitch, I think her enthusiasm and her ability to want to achieve more is so impressive.
Bunny Shaw is the favourite to take home the main award (Picture: Getty)
‘She’s had so much success as well due to the players around her, and I think she would say that herself. Her and Viv [Miedema] staying fit has helped Man City so much, and when you add in the likes of Lauren Hemp supplying her to get those goals.
‘I think City as a whole have had a fantastic season but Bunny is just unstoppable when she gets them oportunities If she wins, it wouldn’t be a surprise to me. She’d definitely have my vote.’
Thursday’s event will also look to celebrate the important figures and organisations that work behind the scenes to help drive the sport forward, which reprsents a vital part of the awards for Duggan.
‘I think that’s what makes me the most proud with these awards,’ she added. ‘I came through in a generation where we actually had a lot of success compared to those who came before us when the game wasn’t professional, when there weren’t the opportunities that I have.
‘So it’s kind of to thank those people, to recognise those people, to also recognise the people behind the scenes that people aren’t too familiar with.
‘Because there’s people putting in so much effort behind the scenes in women’s football, whether it be brands, whether it be partnerships, kit men, people in the canteen.
‘There are so many trailblazers that need to deserve to be recognised. So the Women’s Football Awards brings that opportunity to recognise these people, and not just the footballers on the pitch.’
Manchester City Wrexham London City Lionesses Manchester United Chelsea Glasgow City Tottenham Hotspur Arsenal Charlton Athletic Hearts Brighton & Hove Albion
Media Figure of the Year
Kelly Cates Karen Carney MBE Lianne Sanderson Laura Woods Reshmin Chowdhury Alex Scott MBE Mina Ibrahim Suzanne Wrack Katie Whyatt Faye Carruthers Mollie and Rosie Kmita
Best Marketing Campaign
Sports Direct & Fresh Base Productions – Legacy Starts Here AXA – Keep On Kicking Lidl – Never Stop Growing Adidas & Intersport – Make Football Their Game Chelsea & Here We Flo – We Don’t Bleed Blue. We Bleed. Period. PepsiMAX & Hope&Glory – Thirsty for More Unilever – Hellmann’s Russo Burger The FA & Disrupt – Made For This Game WSL Football & Anomaly – Watch This Nike & Wieden+Kennedy London – IIOME Heineken – Cheers to the Superstitious Fans
Best Grassroots Initiative
Liverpool FA – She Inspires GoCardless – Grassroots Football Partnership Tottenham Hotspur Foundation – Girls & Women Programme Flutter UK & Ireland – Cash4Clubs McDonald’s – Fun Football Steven Gerrard Academy – Girls Football Programme Electric Ireland – Game Changers NI Starling Bank – Kick On With Starling Octopus Energy – Kits For Kids Manchester City – City in the Community SP Energy Networks – Wrexham Partnership
Brand of the Year
Lucozade Sport Adidas EA Sports British Gas Skoda UK Rexona Barclays Adobe Three UK VISA Nike
Best Social Media
Juventus The FA – Lionesses Chelsea Newcastle United Aston Villa Tottenham Hotspur Bristol City Manchester United Rangers Manchester City Adobe – Women’s FA Cup
Global Impact Award
PlayStation VisitMalta VISA Adidas Iberdrola PepsiCo Booking.com Amazon Google Pixel Kynisca Nike
Best Fan Engagement
Disney+ EA Sports Chelsea London City Lionesses Birmingham City Panini Glasgow City Havas Play Charlton Athletic TikTok YouTube
Legal Team of the Year
Linklaters RPC Thackray Williams Evelyn Partners Lawrence Stephens Limited Penningtons Manches Cooper Tottenham Hotspur Legal Team Capital Law Mills & Reeve Paul Robinson Solicitors Bird & Bird
Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Admiral Lidl Adobe Unilever Domestic & General Xero Apple RSK Bute Energy The Premier League Deloitte
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award
Arsenal EE Pixel FC Academy The FA West Ham United Mastercard Utilita Brighton & Hove Albion VISA Three UK Liverpool
Community Impact Award
Sunderland Carpenters Group Bristol City Crane Worldwide Logistics Her Game Too Xero London City Lionesses Domis Brighton & Hove Albion E.ON Goals4Girls
Football Business of the Year
ORRECO Mercury13 We Are Athlete CAA SPORTS Gravity Media LiveScore Group Foudys EA Sports Kynsica Sportfive Twenty3
Football Agency of the Year
Wasserman CAA SPORTS CMG SPORTS Gen Z Football Ignite Talent Tongue Tied Management PLG A&V Sports Group Gestifute Livida Sport Quantum Sport
Football Business Trailblazer
Kay Cossington Aki Mandhar Maggie Murphy Sarah Batters Zoe Johnson Jemma White Sola Kasali Charlotte O’Neill Laura Downey Laura Montgomery Liz Ellen
Best Breakthrough Business
E.l.f Beauty Modibodi Mercedes-Benz UK Airbnb British Gas Guinness AFTA Studios PLG Revolut Skechers Crocs EU
Women’s Football Champion
Rose Read Nadine Kessler Nikki Doucet Jemma White Michele Kang Ebru Köksal Debbie Hewitt MBE Joelle Murray Rachel Pavlou Simone Pound MBE Vic Akers OBE
Game Changer Award
Rachel Yankey OBE Gillian Coultard MBE Eartha Pond Shelley Kerr MBE Kelly Smith MBE Nikita Parris Ellen White MBE Gilly Flaherty Fran Kirby Ini Umotong Jess Fishlock MBE
Off The Pitch Award
Stephen Lansdown CBE Michael Williamson Matt Johnson Bethan Woolley Tammy Parlour MBE Lungi Macebo Rachel Pavlou Liz Ellen Lola Ogunbote Helen Hardy Jo Osborne
Lianne Sanderson is delighted the Women’s Football Awards have become such an impactful event (Picture: Getty)
There are moments in football that feel long overdue. Moments that make you pause and think: why did this take so long?
The Women’s Football Awards is one of those moments – and as we approach the 2026 ceremony, it feels bigger, bolder and more important than ever.
The event was established in 2023 and it was the first time any awards event took place to celebrate achievements in women’s football. Think about that. Generations of players, pioneers and game-changers and only recently did we finally create a stage dedicated entirely to them.
I know that other awards events have taken place for the men’s game for decades, and so this was so welcome. Not just welcome – necessary.
But what makes these awards so special now is not just about correcting the past, it’s about celebrating the present and shaping the future in real time.
Yes, this event has rightly shone a light on figures who were overlooked for far too long.
Carol Thomas, an England international who earned over 50 caps and was part of the Lionesses’ early rise, representing her country with distinction when the women’s game had far less visibility and support.
Gabby Logan will help hosts the ceremony alongside Jamie Carragher
Kerry Davis, a history-maker as the first Black woman to score for England, a striker who delivered time and time again while breaking barriers. Their stories matter. Their impact matters. And it’s been powerful to see them honoured on a stage they always deserved.
Meanwhile, this event is packed with the stars of today’s game too. Players like Lauren James, Alessia Russo and Alexia Putellas – all recognised in previous years – show just how far the women’s game has come. These are global names, elite athletes, and role models inspiring the next generation every single day.
And the future is just as exciting. Talents like Maya Le Tissier, Vivianne Miedema, Michelle Agyemang and Bunny Shaw are among this year’s nominees as well.
Hannah Hampton is in the running to win Player of the Year (Getty Images)
What I love most about the Women’s Football Awards is that it doesn’t just celebrate what happens on the pitch. It shines a light on the people behind the scenes – the ones pushing the game forward every single day. People like Yvonne Harrison from Women in Football, who was recognised in 2024, for her incredible work to elevate the game and create opportunities for others. That kind of impact is priceless.
And this year, the awards will celebrate Manchester Corinthians and their pioneering work as women footballers – a team that refused to let the women’s game fade away, travelling the world and keeping its spirit alive in the face of adversity. That legacy runs through everything we see today.
A room full of talent. A celebration of excellence. A moment where the past, present and future of the women’s game all stand side by side.
And let’s not forget the importance of those who believed in it from day one. This is more than an awards ceremony. It is a statement of intent. It is a celebration of how far we’ve come – and a reminder of how far we’re going.
This is a remarkable celebration of the game. Long may it continue.
Manchester City Wrexham London City Lionesses Manchester United Chelsea Glasgow City Tottenham Hotspur Arsenal Charlton Athletic Hearts Brighton & Hove Albion
Media Figure of the Year
Kelly Cates Karen Carney MBE Lianne Sanderson Laura Woods Reshmin Chowdhury Alex Scott MBE Mina Ibrahim Suzanne Wrack Katie Whyatt Faye Carruthers Mollie and Rosie Kmita
Best Marketing Campaign
Sports Direct & Fresh Base Productions – Legacy Starts Here AXA – Keep On Kicking Lidl – Never Stop Growing Adidas & Intersport – Make Football Their Game Chelsea & Here We Flo – We Don’t Bleed Blue. We Bleed. Period. PepsiMAX & Hope&Glory – Thirsty for More Unilever – Hellmann’s Russo Burger The FA & Disrupt – Made For This Game WSL Football & Anomaly – Watch This Nike & Wieden+Kennedy London – IIOME Heineken – Cheers to the Superstitious Fans
Best Grassroots Initiative
Liverpool FA – She Inspires GoCardless – Grassroots Football Partnership Tottenham Hotspur Foundation – Girls & Women Programme Flutter UK & Ireland – Cash4Clubs McDonald’s – Fun Football Steven Gerrard Academy – Girls Football Programme Electric Ireland – Game Changers NI Starling Bank – Kick On With Starling Octopus Energy – Kits For Kids Manchester City – City in the Community SP Energy Networks – Wrexham Partnership
Brand of the Year
Lucozade Sport Adidas EA Sports British Gas Skoda UK Rexona Barclays Adobe Three UK VISA Nike
Best Social Media
Juventus The FA – Lionesses Chelsea Newcastle United Aston Villa Tottenham Hotspur Bristol City Manchester United Rangers Manchester City Adobe – Women’s FA Cup
Global Impact Award
PlayStation VisitMalta VISA Adidas Iberdrola PepsiCo Booking.com Amazon Google Pixel Kynisca Nike
Best Fan Engagement
Disney+ EA Sports Chelsea London City Lionesses Birmingham City Panini Glasgow City Havas Play Charlton Athletic TikTok YouTube
Legal Team of the Year
Linklaters RPC Thackray Williams Evelyn Partners Lawrence Stephens Limited Penningtons Manches Cooper Tottenham Hotspur Legal Team Capital Law Mills & Reeve Paul Robinson Solicitors Bird & Bird
Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Admiral Lidl Adobe Unilever Domestic & General Xero Apple RSK Bute Energy The Premier League Deloitte
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award
Arsenal EE Pixel FC Academy The FA West Ham United Mastercard Utilita Brighton & Hove Albion VISA Three UK Liverpool
Community Impact Award
Sunderland Carpenters Group Bristol City Crane Worldwide Logistics Her Game Too Xero London City Lionesses Domis Brighton & Hove Albion E.ON Goals4Girls
Football Business of the Year
ORRECO Mercury13 We Are Athlete CAA SPORTS Gravity Media LiveScore Group Foudys EA Sports Kynsica Sportfive Twenty3
Football Agency of the Year
Wasserman CAA SPORTS CMG SPORTS Gen Z Football Ignite Talent Tongue Tied Management PLG A&V Sports Group Gestifute Livida Sport Quantum Sport
Football Business Trailblazer
Kay Cossington Aki Mandhar Maggie Murphy Sarah Batters Zoe Johnson Jemma White Sola Kasali Charlotte O’Neill Laura Downey Laura Montgomery Liz Ellen
Best Breakthrough Business
E.l.f Beauty Modibodi Mercedes-Benz UK Airbnb British Gas Guinness AFTA Studios PLG Revolut Skechers Crocs EU
Women’s Football Champion
Rose Read Nadine Kessler Nikki Doucet Jemma White Michele Kang Ebru Köksal Debbie Hewitt MBE Joelle Murray Rachel Pavlou Simone Pound MBE Vic Akers OBE
Game Changer Award
Rachel Yankey OBE Gillian Coultard MBE Eartha Pond Shelley Kerr MBE Kelly Smith MBE Nikita Parris Ellen White MBE Gilly Flaherty Fran Kirby Ini Umotong Jess Fishlock MBE
Off The Pitch Award
Stephen Lansdown CBE Michael Williamson Matt Johnson Bethan Woolley Tammy Parlour MBE Lungi Macebo Rachel Pavlou Liz Ellen Lola Ogunbote Helen Hardy Jo Osborne
‘You have Timber in your squad, and you think, ‘that’s a good full-back, he’s going to help me’. Then he drops out for a long time and then you have to fit in White… Timber wouldn’t even let him tie his shoelaces,’ Sneijder told Ziggo Sport.
Ben White has deputised at right-back with Jurrien Timber out with a groin injury (MB Media/Getty)
‘Arteta cannot field two squads, other teams can. So I don’t think that is justified.’
‘For years, you have had Liverpool and City in England that you have to compete against. They have much better players. And in Europe, there are many even better players. He [Arteta] is simply doing an impressive job with his team.’
Speaking at half-time, Sneijder was less than impressed with what he saw in the opening 45 minutes at the Emirates.
‘I said after 35 minutes that UEFA needs to intervene,’ Sneijder said during the break.
Wesley Sneijder believes Mikel Arteta ‘deserves a statue’ for his impact at Arsenal (Getty)
‘They need to call London, ‘just get off the pitch, both of you, and the final will be played tomorrow’. We knew this was going to happen. Atletico in a block, dropping back, and Arsenal having a lot of possession.’
But following Arsenal’s victory, Sneijder heaped praise on Arteta for guiding Arsenal to the final in Budapest on May 30.
‘I can’t say it often enough, people, but he really deserves a statue already,’ Sneijder said.
‘With this team, it is so impressive to reach the final. Leaving all the other world-class teams behind you. I think that is very impressive.’
Bayern boss Vincent Kompany prepares to take on PSG again (Picture: Getty Images)
Vincent Kompany is sympathetic to Mikel Arteta’s ‘different worlds’ comment on the quality produced by Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, due to the intense schedule in England.
The Arsenal manager said the first leg of PSG vs Bayern in the Champions League semi-finals is ‘probably the best game’ he has ever seen.
‘Bayern v PSG is probably the best game I have ever witnessed on the quality of two teams, and especially the individual quality that the players deliver,’ Arteta said last week.
‘I’ve never seen something like this. But when I look at the amount of minutes and the freshness of those players, then I’m not surprised. To deliver those moments of quality, you have to be very fresh and the difference in the leagues and the way they compete is night and day, and you just have to see a lot of stats that have been recently around it.
The first leg of PSG vs Bayern was sensational viewing (Picture: Getty Images)
‘We are competing in two different worlds, so you cannot compare one part of that without giving any context to that. I don’t think it’s fair.’
Bayern boss Kompany had no intention of causing a row, understanding where Arteta was coming from with his point.
The Belgian spent 11 years at Manchester City and knows very well the demands placed on the players in England and the unsympathetic nature of pundits and fans.
‘I don’t want to comment too much, but obviously having been in the Premier League for many years, if I read between the lines, it’s basically a calendar discussion,’ Kompany said.
Mikel Arteta celebrated a first Champions League final as Arsenal boss (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I don’t think it’s a criticism on PSG or Bayern Munich or anything like this. It’s that fact that you have 38 games to play, plus the League Cup, plus the FA Cup, you don’t really have a winter break.
‘Then every time someone has a bad game, you go, “well how come they have a bad game?” I think that’s the conversation these guys are having.
‘It’s not for me to jump in, but it’s legitimate. Obviously Jurgen Klopp, being German, how many times has he spoken about this? At that time I was in the league so I understand it. But it’s not my problem to solve at the moment.’
‘An incredible night,’ said Arteta. ‘We made history again together and I cannot be more proud for everyone. The way that we were welcomed outside the stadium was special and unique. The atmosphere, our support has created the energy, the way they managed every ball with us, they made it special and unique, I never felt that in the stadium.
‘We knew how much it meant to everybody. The boys did an incredible job and after 20 years and a second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.’
