Carrick gets his reprieve
Michael Carrick will remain Manchester United’s head coach for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea. [1] reports that he was widely expected to be sacked after the 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth, but the board kept him in place. [2] says the club delayed a decision on his future, and reports suggest alternatives have been considered. [3] names Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann as the reported options.
The reprieve comes with no guarantee. [4] notes that no timescale has been set for a decision on his future, so Stamford Bridge looks like another examination rather than a vote of confidence.
The context is poor. United have won only one of their eight Premier League matches and sit 16th, one place above the relegation zone. Sky Sports describes an eight-game winless run, and the club has admitted squad-wide underperformance this season. The Bournemouth loss followed a 4-1 defeat at Como in the Champions League. Carrick is not without supporters: Fiorentina goalkeeper David De Gea [5], though that is a show of support rather than any change in the dugout.
The Fernandes question
The biggest selection issue is captain Bruno Fernandes. He was dropped to the bench for the Bournemouth game after publicly questioning Carrick’s tactics and the coaches’ ability to spot what was going wrong. He did not leave the bench. [4] also reports that he reportedly liked an Instagram post suggesting a loyal person could be pushed too far.
Since then the two have talked. [6] reports that Carrick and Fernandes met to clear the air, and that Fernandes is expected to be in contention for Chelsea. BBC Sport says he could return to the starting line-up. Treat that with caution: the reports are flagged as doubtful, and one Sky Sports piece says his selection depends on his attitude towards Carrick. His availability is not confirmed.
There is a small boost elsewhere. Kobbie Mainoo returned to training on Wednesday after a fortnight out through injury, although that report is also unconfirmed. If both players feature, Carrick would have more of his preferred midfield than he had against Bournemouth, but neither is certain to start.
One analytical note cuts against the gloom. A [7] analysis says United have taken three points fewer than their expected points total under Carrick this season. That suggests some of the results are harsher than the performances, though the same piece criticises recruitment and the sporting structure.
What it means
The table is blunt. United are 16th with 7 points from 8 games (one win, four draws, three defeats), with 10 goals scored and 13 conceded. The recent form offers little comfort. Their last five results read 1-1 at home to Tottenham, 0-2 at Atlético Madrid, 1-1 at Leeds, 1-4 at Como and 0-3 at home to Bournemouth. That is two draws and three defeats, with no win, and 4 goals scored against 11 conceded. The defensive problem is as pressing as the lack of wins.
The next fixture, Chelsea away on 31 October, asks three things. Can United defend better than they did in their last two games? Can Carrick restore a working relationship with his captain without losing authority? And can a side without a recent win handle a Chelsea team that, according to Sky Sports, lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham but still sits fifth? Chelsea will be looking for a response of their own after that defeat.
The site’s forecast for the match locks 24 hours before kick-off, so no pick is published here yet. The evidence so far points to a tight call that turns on selection. A Fernandes recall and a fit Mainoo would help United, but form, the defensive record and the uncertainty around Carrick all weigh against them.
Sources
- BBC Sport: Carrick and Fernandes hold clear-the-air talks bbc.co.uk ↩
- Sky Sports: 'Delaying the inevitable' or right call? Key questions as Carrick stays skysports.com ↩
- BBC Sport: Carrick to stay in charge of Man Utd for Chelsea game bbc.co.uk ↩
- BBC Sport: Man Utd stick with Carrick - inside a turbulent 48 hours at Old Trafford bbc.co.uk ↩
- Football Italia: De Gea: Fiorentina goalkeeper posts picture in support of under-fire Carrick football-italia.net ↩
- Sky Sports: Carrick and Fernandes hold clear-the-air talks ahead of Chelsea fixture skysports.com ↩
- Sky Sports: Expectation vs reality: What if Man Utd have become a mid-table team? skysports.com ↩
