Manchester United Keep Michael Carrick in Charge for Chelsea Trip
Manchester United have decided to keep Michael Carrick as manager for now, and he will lead the team against Chelsea on Saturday despite eight games without a win.
Carrick Back at Training
Michael Carrick took training as normal at Carrington on Tuesday after Manchester United held crisis talks about his future. The 45-year-old former England midfielder will now prepare the team for Saturday’s Premier League match away at Chelsea.
Reuters reported that club bosses met on Monday to discuss Carrick’s position, but no decision was announced by Tuesday. The BBC, Sky Sports and the PA news agency all reported that Carrick will stay in charge for the Chelsea game. A club source said Carrick and the players will be given the chance to turn things around.
Worst Start in Nearly 40 Years
Pressure on Carrick grew after United lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth on Sunday. The club are now without a win in eight games in all competitions.
United have only seven points from eight Premier League games. They are 16th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone. It is the club’s worst league start since the 1986-87 season. This season, they have won only two of their 12 games in all competitions. Their only league win came against newly promoted Ipswich Town on August 30.
Fans Still Back Carrick
Many fans still support Carrick. After the Bournemouth game, thousands of supporters at Old Trafford sang his name and clapped him as he walked off. But the cheers turned to boos when the players left the pitch.
Carrick, who played for United for 12 years, has often taken the blame for poor results instead of criticising his players. After the game, he said he was not expecting anything in particular and would keep working as normal because he loves the club. He added that he would always act in the way that is best for Manchester United, whatever the club decides.
From Third Place to Crisis
Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January. He turned the team around last season, finishing third in the Premier League and taking United back into the Champions League. However, the team’s form has dropped sharply this season.
He is United’s seventh permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. British media have already started talking about possible replacements, including Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Bruno Fernandes Linked With AC Milan
There is also uncertainty over captain Bruno Fernandes. The Manchester Evening News reported that he could leave in January to join former boss Amorim at AC Milan.
Fernandes publicly criticised the team’s tactics after a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como. Carrick then left him on the bench against Bournemouth. His contract ends next summer, although United have the option to extend it by one year. A release clause for foreign clubs is reported to be around £54 million. That fee, along with his salary of about £8.54 million a year, could make a move to Milan difficult.