Carrick handed two-match lifeline as United's nine-game winless run hits 38-year low

Manchester United will retain Michael Carrick as manager for at least two more matches despite a 2-0 home defeat by Chelsea on Saturday that stretched their winless run to nine games in all competitions — the club’s worst sequence since 1988.

United sit 17th in the Premier League, outside the relegation zone only on goal difference, after another dismal afternoon that was compounded by Lisandro Martínez’s red card. The Athletic reports that the club’s hierarchy want to reach the November international break before making a final decision on Carrick’s future, meaning he will take charge of Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Roma and the following Sunday’s Premier League visit of Aston Villa.

Carrick himself confirmed as much in his post-match press conference. When asked whether he would be in the dugout for the next game, he replied simply: “Yes.”

Director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada were present at Stamford Bridge to witness a third consecutive defeat, following last weekend’s 3-0 loss at Bournemouth that had already prompted crisis talks with club chiefs. Despite the mounting pressure, United’s hierarchy are not yet ready to act.

On the pitch, United matched Chelsea in the first half but failed to convert their chances. The game turned after the break when Morgan Rogers danced through United’s defence to chip goalkeeper Senne Lammens for the opener. Martínez was then dismissed for catching Wesley Fofana with his arm from a corner — his second yellow card — and Cole Palmer converted the resulting penalty to seal a 2-0 victory.

United have won just two of their 13 matches in all competitions this season, both against newly-promoted Ipswich and Champions League minnows Roma. They have kept only one clean sheet all campaign, and their disorganised defence and wastefulness in front of goal have been recurring themes throughout.

Club chiefs have already drawn up a shortlist of potential replacements should Carrick fail to arrest the slide. Former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, ex-Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann, and former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte are among the names under consideration.

The two-week November international break would give United’s hierarchy time to assess the situation fully. Roma, United’s next opponents, arrive in form — the Italian side are third in Serie A and put five past Udinese on Saturday, scoring 16 goals across their last four games.