Michael Carrick remained in charge of Manchester United on Tuesday and took training at Carrington, giving the under-pressure manager and his players another chance to turn around a season that has veered seriously off course.
Carrick’s position had come under intense scrutiny following Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. The loss extended United’s winless streak to eight matches across all competitions and left them 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.
Senior club officials held discussions on Monday as speculation grew over Carrick’s future. British media reports had already begun linking potential replacements to the managerial role.
However, the club made no announcement, and the former United midfielder returned to work as usual, overseeing preparations for Saturday’s league encounter against Chelsea.
A club source said Carrick and his players would be given an opportunity to reverse the situation, with the immediate focus on preparing for Saturday’s match and delivering a response on the pitch.
Despite the frustration at Old Trafford on Sunday, supporters directed much of their anger towards the players rather than the manager. As Carrick walked towards the tunnel after the final whistle, thousands of fans chanted his name and applauded him. The atmosphere changed moments later, with cheers giving way to angry boos as the players left the field.
The contrasting reactions reflected the goodwill Carrick, 45, continues to enjoy among United supporters. Fans remember his decorated 12-year playing career at the club and appreciate the composed manner in which he has handled himself as manager.
Carrick has repeatedly taken responsibility for the team’s poor results while shielding his players from criticism.
“I totally understand the situation,” he said after Sunday’s defeat. “I'm not expecting anything in particular, to be honest. I'm carrying on as normal, and I love this place.
“I always do what I feel is going to be the best for the football club, whatever decision is made on anything really.”
Carrick had revived United’s season after replacing Ruben Amorim in January, guiding the team to third place in the league. However, United have not won a Premier League match this season since defeating newly promoted Ipswich Town on August 30.
The pressure on Carrick increased last week after he left captain Bruno Fernandes out of the starting line-up. The decision came just four days after the Portuguese midfielder publicly criticised United’s tactics following a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como.
Supporters have also directed their frustration towards the club’s leadership, including part-owner Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
United face a demanding run of fixtures, beginning with fifth-placed Chelsea, followed by AS Roma in the Champions League, Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Carrick is the seventh permanent manager appointed by United since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann have emerged among the names frequently mentioned as possible successors.
