Man Utd teetering towards crisis as Man City cloud hangs over Premier League

Manchester United face a potential crisis as they trudge towards their worst league start in 40 years under manager Michael Carrick. The pressure mounts on Carrick after defender Lisandro Martinez attacked the club's hierarchy over insufficient investment in the squad following a 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid. United have won just one of their opening six league games and are without a home victory since April when Carrick took interim charge.

Despite the gloomy outlook, Carrick sees Sunday's match against historic rivals Leeds as a chance to turn things around, describing it as a "fantastic game for us, for the club, for the history, for the supporters."

Meanwhile, Manchester City sit pretty at the top of the Premier League table with six wins from six league games, but their perfect start could be in jeopardy if they are found guilty of breaking financial rules. The uncertainty over City's future has left the entire league in limbo, with Brighton potentially benefiting from any severe sanctions imposed on City. The Seagulls are currently riding high, just two points behind second-placed Arsenal, ahead of their crucial match against Crystal Palace.

Brighton's rise to the top could reach new heights this season, with owner Tony Bloom's expertise in data analytics playing a key role. Despite selling prized assets to wealthier clubs, Brighton has thrived through smart recruitment of players and coaches. Manager Fabian Hitzler believes his team can bring their "nasty side" against rivals Crystal Palace, urging his side to be ruthless and create an energetic atmosphere that makes it difficult for opponents to succeed.