Carrick survives Manchester United crisis talks to face Chelsea in Premier League

Michael Carrick will remain Manchester United manager for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea after surviving crisis talks at Carrington on Monday, with club chiefs opting against an immediate sacking despite the team’s alarming early-season form.

Carrick had been widely expected to lose his job following a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday — United’s second heavy loss in quick succession. Instead, he returned to the training ground on Tuesday morning and took the session as normal ahead of the weekend’s early kick-off.

The scale of the problem at Old Trafford is stark. United have won just two of their 12 matches across all competitions this season and sit 16th in the Premier League, having collected only seven points from eight games — the club’s worst start since 1986/87.

The club had considered alternatives before deciding to hold firm. Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte were all assessed as potential replacements, but no appointment was made. Reports suggest director of football Jason Wilcox and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell are divided on who should succeed Carrick if the decision is eventually taken, with Wilcox favouring Howe and Vivell preferring Nagelsmann.

Carrick himself acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his position after Sunday’s defeat. “It’s a tough situation, there’s no hiding from it,” he said. “But what it looks like and what’s next, I really don’t know. I will always do what’s best for this football club — I’ve said it all along and I don’t change that now. I love what I do, I love the position I’m in. I feel the responsibility but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Saturday’s match against Chelsea now represents a critical test for Carrick, with the club’s hierarchy clearly unwilling to commit to his long-term future even as they hand him another opportunity to turn results around.