Michael Carrick is once again fighting for his Manchester United future as his side travel to Chelsea in the Premier League.
Carrick appeared on the brink following the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth last week but survived crisis talks with the United hierarchy and remains in charge for the trip to Stamford Bridge, despite the club sounding out Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann as his potential replacement.
An eight-game winless run in all competitions has heightened the pressure on Carrick, who is set to recall Bruno Fernandes after holding clear-the-air talks with his captain. Fernandes was left on the bench last weekend after criticism of Carrick’s tactics.
There is some pressure on Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, too, following the home defeat to rivals Tottenham last weekend and their exit from the Carabao Cup against Liverpool in midweek. Joao Pedro remains sidelined due to injury, although Cole Palmer returns from suspension.
Follow live updates from Chelsea v Manchester United, below:
Read MoreMichael Carrick is facing a familiar Man United problem – but Chelsea clash could offer a way out
The uncomfortable reason why Bruno Fernandes had to remain Man United captain
Xabi Alonso is facing his first Chelsea crisis and it could lead to the unthinkable
Chelsea v Man United LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
- Chelsea host Man United as Michael Carrick fights for future
- Carrick remains in charge after surviving crisis talks this week
- United out to end eight-game winless run in all competitions
- Bruno Fernandes available to start after clear-the-air talks
- Chelsea bidding to respond to Spurs and Liverpool defeats
Michael Carrick is facing a familiar Man United problem – but Chelsea clash could offer a way out
10:45 , Miguel DelaneySpared the sack even with the club seemingly again in a spiral, Michael Carrick’s future appears bleak – but Miguel Delaney explains why a clash with Chelsea could offer vital clarity
Michael Carrick is facing a familiar Man United problem – but there is a way out
The uncomfortable reason why Bruno Fernandes had to remain Man United captain
10:28 , Richard Jolly, Senior Football CorrespondentBruno Fernandes’ form can be brilliant and frustrating, but Richard Jolly argues Michael Carrick’s choice as Man United captain shows the extent to how badly the squad has been built, given a lack of alternative leaders
The uncomfortable reason why Bruno Fernandes had to remain Man United captain
Michael Carrick welcomes disagreements with Man United players
10:15 , Jamie Braidwood“We always do what we think is going to get the best out of the team. Whether that’s certain players that you speak to at certain points, that’s normal.
“That’s why if you ask for leaders in the dressing room and you want opinions on certain things, then there’s going to be times when you ask that, that’s fine. Absolutely no problem, doesn’t mean that we always agree with that, but absolutely no problem with that. And then we head off in the same direction.”
Michael Carrick explains ‘hard truth’ being shared at Man United
09:58 , Richard Jolly, Senior Football CorrespondentMichael Carrick has insisted that Manchester United’s players and hierarchy are speaking the hard truth to each other in blunt discussions about their troubled season.
Carrick has survived as manager after crisis talks in which chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox decided to give him the chance to reverse their slide.
And he held clear-the-air talks with Bruno Fernandes after dropping his captain following his criticisms of United’s tactics in last week’s 4-1 defeat to Como.
Carrick has also had meetings with his underachieving squad, who are only 16th in the Premier League and 20th in the Champions League after going eight games without a win, as he revealed they have been honest, even when that is not pleasant.
“It’s pretty clear,” he said. “It’s not always rosy and nice conversations between anyone, whether that’s between me and the players, whether that’s between me, Jason or Omar or the owners. It’s the truth, it’s the hard truth at times and it’s what we need to move forward. Whatever we need to move forward, we’ll do.”
Michael Carrick ‘unsurprised’ by Man United decision over future as manager
09:40 , Richard Jolly, Senior Football CorrespondentMichael Carrick has insisted he is not surprised to still be Manchester United manager and said he does not need any assurances from the Old Trafford hierarchy.
Carrick’s job has come under threat after a run of eight games without a win, culminating in heavy defeats to Como and Bournemouth.
But while the United powerbrokers held talks this week, they decided to keep the 45-year-old in his post for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea as they opted to give him the chance to turn their fortunes around.
Carrick had denied he was waving farewell to United when he went off the pitch at Old Trafford on Sunday and claimed he did not expect to be fired.
“No, I am here to do my job and do my job for the team,” he said. “So, I'm not surprised, no.
“I don't need any assurances from anyone. I totally get the position, I understand the job, I understand the responsibilities, I understand what comes with that. So, I really don't need any assurances from anyone in that regard.”
Xabi Alonso explains why Estevao Willian isn’t playing for Chelsea
09:22 , Jack RathbornXabi Alonso insists Estevao Willian is not playing for Chelsea due to “the context of the games”.
The Brazilian wonderkid has been limited in starts and minutes on the pitch under Alonso this season since returning from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the World Cup with Brazil.
“Sure, he will play, the season is long, there will be moments for everyone,” Alonso said when pushed on why Estevao has struggled to feature prominently for the side this season.
“It's a process, for the team, for Este and myself, I’m sure in the season he’ll have his games, he'll have his minutes. We're early in the season. He'll be there. It's not about attitude, it's about the context of the games.
“It’s about the start of the season. He's a great guy, he wants, it’s about adaptation, first year since the injury, it’s early he will be important. No, no, no, no discussions about that [a loan move in January].”
Michael Carrick confirms Bruno Fernandes remains Man United captain
09:10 , Richard Jolly, Senior Football CorrespondentBruno Fernandes has kept the Manchester United captaincy after his clear-the-air talks with manager Michael Carrick.
Fernandes was described as being back to the best version of himself in training earlier this week and spoke to Carrick individually.
Carrick said there was no decision to be made on keeping Fernandes as captain and gave the midfielder his full backing.
“He's an important player for this group,” said Carrick. “He has been and he will be. Between us, we've got to make a difference and we've got to push things in a good direction.
“He's fully committed to this football club, he's fully committed to making things better. It doesn't change for me. He's the one that's kind of led the team so well for many a game and many a year, and he'll continue to do that.
“He’s the captain of our football club. There are different personalities, different characters, different ways to lead.
“It all comes down to what happens on the football pitch and whether you win or not. Questions get asked, I understand, but he cares deeply about this club and the team. He’s desperate to do well.”
What is the Manchester United team news?
09:02 , Jamie BraidwoodBruno Fernandes is available for selection after holding talks with Michael Carrick and remains captain, too. Kobbie Mainoo is back in training but Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu remain out and Benjamin Sesko is likely to be sidelined until the new year due to a shin problem.
What is the Chelsea team news?
09:01 , Jamie BraidwoodJoao Pedro remains out for Chelsea but Cole Palmer returns from suspension after missing Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Liverpool. Maxence Lacroix has been ruled out for a few weeks after hurting his hamstring at Anfield but Moises Caicedo is fit, while Estevao’s lack of involvement has become a talking point after he remained on the bench at Anfield. Mike Penders will remain in goal due to Emi Martinez’s broken jaw, with the young Belgian hoping to do a lot better than last week’s performance in the defeat to Tottenham.
Good morning and welcome
09:00 , Jamie BraidwoodAnother Premier League weekend awaits as the Manchester United circus rolls on. This afternoon they’re up at Chelsea, who could be plunged into a bit of a crisis themselves if results go against them today.
But the big surprise is that Michael Carrick remains United manager. They say a week is a long time in football but the expectation following Sunday’s defeat to Bournemouth was that Carrick had taken charge of his final match. Instead, he has been given another opportunity to try and turn their season around.
