Carrick to stay on as Manchester United boss for Chelsea clash

Summarised from 6 outlets · 9 reports · Updated 29 Oct, 14:54 · Archive

Michael Carrick will remain Manchester United manager for Saturday's trip to Chelsea despite the club's eight-game winless run.

Manchester United's hierarchy decided this week to give Michael Carrick more time to turn the club's fortunes around, keeping him in his job despite intense speculation that he would be sacked following a dismal run of form. The decision came after the club's 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday, which extended their winless streak to eight games and left them with what multiple outlets describe as the club's worst start to a Premier League season.

The 45-year-old said he was unsurprised by the decision to retain him and claimed he does not need assurances from the Old Trafford hierarchy about his future. 'I don't need any assurances from anyone,' Carrick said in a press conference on Thursday. 'I totally get the position, I understand the job, I understand the responsibilities, I understand what comes with that.' He added that the players are determined to improve, saying 'the boys are hungry' and 'we haven't won enough games'.

Carrick will face his first real test on Saturday when Manchester United travel to Chelsea for a Premier League fixture. The Independent reports that the club could consider alternatives such as Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte if they decide to sack Carrick, but have decided to give him the opportunity to reverse their poor form.

The manager's future was particularly under scrutiny after he dropped Bruno Fernandes, the team's captain, for Sunday's Bournemouth match. Fernandes had publicly criticised Carrick's tactics following the 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como the previous week. Carrick justified the decision as a 'football' choice, though he then brought on four other substitute players during the match while leaving Fernandes on the bench.

However, the pair held clear-the-air talks at the club's Carrington training ground on Tuesday. Carrick confirmed on Thursday that there is 'no decision to be made' on whether Fernandes will remain as captain and gave him his full backing. 'He's the captain of our football club,' Carrick said. 'He cares deeply about this club and the team and he's desperate to do well.' The 32-year-old midfielder is expected to return to the starting line-up for the Chelsea fixture.

Carrick said Fernandes is 'fully committed' to Manchester United and that the midfielder will play a key role in the team's attempts to improve. 'He's an important player for this group. He has been and he will be,' Carrick stated. 'Between us, we've got to make a difference and we've got to push things in a good direction.'

How it is being reported

• Carrick keeps Fernandes as captain and says he needs no assurances on United futureHead coach describes Fernandes as ‘important’ ‘I get the position,’ Carrick says of Manchester United job Michael Carrick has said he will not strip Bruno Fernandes of the Manchester United captaincy after dropping him for the defeat by Bournemouth and insisted the midfielder is “fully committed” to the club. The two held talks this week after the Portuguese criticised the tactics in the loss to Como, resulting in Fernandes being an unused substitute on Sunday. Harry Maguire took the armband but will not keep it for Saturday’s game at Chelsea, with Carrick saying “there is no decision to be…Guardian Football · 29 Oct, 14:50
• 'Fully committed' Fernandes to remain Man Utd captainManchester United head coach Michael Carrick has confirmed Bruno Fernandes will remain as captain ahead of the Premier League trip to Chelsea.BBC News · 29 Oct, 14:31
• Bruno Fernandes remains Man United captain as Michael Carrick reveals talksFernandes is expected to return to captain United against Chelsea after holding clear-the-air talks with CarrickIndependent Sport · 29 Oct, 14:24
• Michael Carrick ‘unsurprised’ by Man United decision over future as managerCarrick remains in a job despite intense speculation at Old Trafford with Manchester United now eight games without a winIndependent Sport · 29 Oct, 14:21
• Bruno Fernandes STAYS as Man United captain after clear-the-air talks and will return for clash with Chelsea... as manager Michael Carrick insists he is not surprised to keep his job despite woeful start to seasonMichael Carrick insists that he isn't surprised to still be Manchester United's head coach despite intense speculation over his future at Old Trafford.Daily Mail Sport · 29 Oct, 14:07
• Michael Carrick breaks silence on keeping Man Utd job for make-or-break Chelsea clashMichael Carrick was speaking for the first time since the Manchester United hierarchy gave him a stay of execution following a poor run of formMirror Sport · 29 Oct, 14:02
• Carrick ready to 'move forward' with Fernandes as captainMichael Carrick says he is ready to "move forward" with Bruno Fernandes as Man Utd captain.Sky Sports · 29 Oct, 14:00
• Carrick ready to 'move forward' with Fernandes as captainMichael Carrick says he is ready to "move forward" with Bruno Fernandes as Man Utd captain.Sky Sports Football · 29 Oct, 14:00
• Copa Independent | This is Manchester Utd we’re talking about!Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Richard Jolly and Kieran Jackson to discuss the ongoing Manchester United turmoil after Bournemouth’s 3-0 win at Old Trafford and the decision to keep Michael Carrick in charge for their next game against Chelsea despite an eight-game winless run.Independent Sport · 29 Oct, 10:18

In this story: Michael Carrick · Bruno Fernandes · Manchester United · Chelsea · Bournemouth · Como

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