Michael Carrick remains in charge of Manchester United for Chelsea trip

Michael Carrick will remain in charge of Manchester United for Saturday’s game against Chelsea. Under pressure after a difficult start to the season, he led training on Tuesday and has been given, alongside his players, the opportunity to turn the situation around. After eight league games, United have seven points and sit one point and two places above the relegation zone.

The club head into the fixture after eight matches without a win. That run includes Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Manchester United have won only one of their eight league matches this season.

United’s busy week starts with a lunchtime league match away to Chelsea on Saturday, before Roma visit in the Champions and Aston Villa in the league. Carrick’s continued appointment comes ahead of those close-spaced fixtures, with the team looking to end its poor run.

The manager’s position had come under scrutiny after the Bournemouth defeat. BBC Sport reports that sources told it Carrick would have the opportunity to turn things around at Old Trafford. The outlet also says United’s hierarchy had explored replacing him, with Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann among the names considered.

Carrick took temporary charge in January after Ruben Amorim’s departure, before receiving the permanent job in May. BBC Sport reports that he had led the team to Champions League qualification, finishing third after an impressive run.

After the Bournemouth match, United supporters chanted Carrick’s name as he headed towards the tunnel, then booed the players. Carrick later told Sky Sports: “It wasn’t a farewell from me.”