Michael Carrick will remain in charge of Manchester United for their Premier League clash against Chelsea on Saturday.
The Man United boss has come under fire of late after a difficult start to the 2026/27 season.
Carrick first took charge in January 2026 and managed to turn the club’s fortunes around, guiding them to an impressive third-place finish.
However, since being appointed as permanent head coach at the start of the campaign, his new chapter has been anything but blissful.
In 12 games across all competitions, United have managed just two wins – one in the league and one in Europe.
They have suffered six defeats, including elimination from the Carabao Cup in the third round, and have had four draws.
That poor run of form sees them 16th on the Premier League table with seven points from eight games, while they also sit a staggering 21st in the Champions League standings with three points from three matches.
Their most recent European outing saw them suffer a 4-1 defeat at Italian side Como, and a humbling 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League followed just four days later.
United discuss Carrick’s future
According to reports, United director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada were at Carrington discussing Carrick’s future on Monday.
With Carrick leading training on Tuesday, it is understood that he has been given the grace of at least one more match.
Eddie Howe and Jules Nagelsmann are the leading candidates to replace Carrick should he be dismissed.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe supposedly wanted Howe during the summer, but the former Newcastle United boss had sought a break after leaving the Magpies.
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Big Chelsea test looms
Carrick faces a big test this weekend as the Premier League enters its ninth round of fixtures.
While Chelsea have been consistently inconsistent, they have still shown more fight than the Red Devils.
Xabi Alonso’s Blues are fifth on the table with 13 points but will be without star striker João Pedro for “a few weeks”, the Spaniard revealed in his press conference.
Pedro, who has scored five goals and registered three assists in seven games, sustained a knee injury ahead of the London derby against Tottenham, a game the Blues went on to lose.
Chelsea will also be without Emiliano Martínez in goal, who suffered a fractured jaw and concussion during the 2-0 win over Everton.
With Alonso missing two key figures in his side, Carrick has had a major boost as he aims to prove that he belongs at the helm – but whether or not the former United player can regain the strength he showed as interim boss is unknown.
Saturday’s kick-off is set for 12:30 GMT at Stamford Bridge.
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