Man Utd boss Michael Carrick to remain in charge vs Chelsea and given chance to turn situation around

The under-pressure United head coach was thought to be on the brink after Sunday's crushing 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, but he and the players are being given the chance to turn the current situation around.

United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, and chief executive, Omar Berrada, were at Carrington discussing Carrick's future on Monday. It is understood they had already been considering alternatives for the head coach role.

However, Carrick took training on Tuesday and the decision has been taken to give him at least one more match. Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are among the contenders to replace him if he is sacked.

United go to Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime without a win in eight matches in all competitions. The 13-time Premier League winners sit one point and two places above the relegation zone.

Following the trip to Chelsea, United face Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday November 3 and Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday November 8, live on Sky Sports .

Matchgoing fans at Old Trafford showed their support for former United midfielder Carrick before booing the players in a reflection of where their frustrations lie.

Carrick dropped captain Bruno Fernandes against Bournemouth after he criticised the coaching staff's tactics in the 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como. He will now have to decide whether to bring the Portuguese back into the side at Chelsea.

Xabi Alonso's side are currently fifth, six points better off than United after eight matches, after losing 2-0 at home to rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Carrick was initially appointed as United boss in January 2026 on a contract until the end of the season, following Ruben Amorim's sacking earlier in that campaign. He delivered a brilliant run of results, winning 12 of 17 matches to earn a third-place finish in the Premier League and a return to the Champions League.

He was made permanent head coach on May 22.

Since Jim Ratcliffe became a part owner of United to take control of the football operations nearly three years ago, he has overseen the mid-season sackings of Amorim and Erik ten Hag.

Analysis: Man Utd 'delaying the inevitable' with Carrick

"I'm staggered. We all expected this to be the end for Carrick. The mood music around the club, the reaction of the supporters at Old Trafford - they clearly thought it was the end.

"It's a real surprise. I'm not sure this does anything for his standing. This isn't a vote of confidence. It doesn't feel like Man Utd are saying, 'He's our man, we're sticking with him'.

"I felt for Carrick going onto the training pitch [on Tuesday] and trying to coach and work with Bruno Fernandes, who publicly criticised his tactics. How can Carrick be among that group and for it to be successful and harmonious?

"It's an impossible situation for Carrick and feels like it's delaying the inevitable."

Your views on Carrick being given more time

Jimbo: The correct decision. To remove Michael Carrick would have been another win for player power.

Blev: If I was Carrick I would resign and leave on my terms rather than get dragged through the mud. It's inevitable what's going to happen.

CeeJay: It's about time fans backed the manager. We'd all be moaning if it was another manager down, so what's it to be?

Jas: It's all about standards. Carrick carries himself with class and integrity. Someone needs to hold those values at the club. Otherwise it's an egotistical board and egotistical players left to sort it out.

PapaGino: I couldn't be happier that Carrick remains in charge. The players need to be held to account. Carrick obviously has the club's best interest at heart. Now it's time to see the same commitment from the players.

Connor D: The fact of the matter is it doesn't matter who comes in, the club is rotten to its core.

JordanK94: Silence from the club is deafening. Another season wasted and another ex-player being dragged through the mud.

Dave: Wilcox and the CEO should go, not Carrick.