5Upper IntermediateGeneralSports

Fabregas Calls Manchester United Job Rumors Disrespectful

Como manager Cesc Fabregas has firmly rejected speculation about replacing Michael Carrick at Manchester United. Ahead of their Champions League meeting, the former Arsenal and Chelsea star defended Carrick and praised his work. The story raises important questions about loyalty and respect in professional football.

2 min readLevel 5October 21, 2026

By Flalingo Editorial Team

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

dismissed

/dɪsˈmɪst/

verb

Rejected or refused to consider something as important or true

“The manager dismissed all the transfer rumors and said he was staying at his current club.”

speculation

/ˌspekjʊˈleɪʃən/

noun

Ideas or guesses about something without having all the facts

“There has been a lot of speculation about who will win the election next month.”

disrespectful

/ˌdɪsrɪˈspektfəl/

adjective

Showing a lack of respect or politeness toward someone

“It would be disrespectful to talk about replacing someone who is still doing their job.”

remarkable

/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/

adjective

Unusual or surprising in a way that deserves attention or praise

“The team made remarkable progress and finished the season in first place.”

solidarity

/ˌsɒlɪˈdærɪti/

noun

A feeling of support and agreement among people who share the same goals or difficulties

“The players showed solidarity with their coach by defending him in public.”

inappropriate

/ˌɪnəˈprəʊpriət/

adjective

Not suitable or proper for a particular situation

“She felt the question was inappropriate and chose not to answer it.”

Listen to Article

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Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

Cesc Fabregas has dismissed rumors linking him with the Manchester United job. The Como manager called the speculation disrespectful to Michael Carrick. Fabregas was asked about the possibility at a press conference on Tuesday. The two teams are set to meet in the Champions League on Wednesday. It will be the first time Como have hosted Manchester United.

Carrick is under pressure after six games without a win. Manchester United have won only two matches all season. This is reportedly their worst start to a league season since 1986. Several other managers have also been linked with the position. However, Fabregas refused to discuss the matter any further.

Fabregas has built an impressive reputation as a manager at Como. He guided the Italian club from the second division to Serie A. He then led them into the Champions League for the first time ever. Como are currently fifth in Serie A after beating Fiorentina recently. His remarkable success has attracted attention from top clubs across Europe.

Despite the mounting speculation, Fabregas showed solidarity with Carrick. He praised Carrick for bringing United back to the Champions League last season. He said it would be inappropriate to discuss a role held by someone he respects. His response demonstrated the kind of loyalty that is rare in modern football. Many fans admired his classy and thoughtful approach to the situation.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
What did Fabregas call the question about replacing Carrick?
2
How many matches had Manchester United won all season at the time of the article?
3
What historic achievement did Fabregas accomplish with Como?
4
When are Como and Manchester United scheduled to play each other?
5
What position are Como currently in Serie A?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
What did Cesc Fabregas say when reporters asked him about the Manchester United job?
2
Why is Michael Carrick under pressure at Manchester United this season?
3
How has Fabregas built his reputation as a manager at Como?
4
What achievements did Fabregas highlight about Carrick's work at Manchester United?
5
Why do you think the article describes Fabregas's response as showing solidarity with Carrick?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
Do you think it is fair for the media to ask managers about other teams' jobs? Why or why not?
2
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to defend a colleague publicly?
3
What qualities do you think make a great football manager or team leader?
4
If you were offered your dream job but it meant replacing a friend, what would you do?
5
How important is loyalty in professional sports compared to personal ambition?

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Vocabulary

dismissed

speculation

disrespectful

remarkable

solidarity

inappropriate

Article

Comprehension Quiz

Discussion

Further Discussion

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