Michael Carrick remained Manchester United manager after the club confirmed on Tuesday they had decided against sacking him, following a week of frank discussions at Carrington.
Carrick had been under pressure after a run of eight games without a win, which included a heavy defeat to Bournemouth. On Monday, he stood in the rain to watch the Under-21s play a friendly at Carrington while sporting director Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox deliberated over his future.
Word arrived on Monday evening that no decision would be communicated that night, but just before midday on Tuesday it was confirmed that United had opted to keep Carrick in charge.
Honest conversations at Carrington
Speaking for the first time since receiving the stay of execution, Carrick was asked whether robust conversations had taken place at the training ground.
"It's pretty clear. 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," he said. "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."
Carrick's assistant, Steve Holland, is also known for a frank approach. One contact said Holland "doesn't take anyone's b******, and sources say he can be an authority figure with players at the right times.
Carrick explained that the coaching staff had sought opinions from the leaders in the dressing room about the situation. "We always do what we think is going to get the best out of the team," he said. "Whether that's certain players that, of course, 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."
Carrick on supporter reaction
Carrick also addressed the booing of players after the Bournemouth defeat, which came after he had been applauded by fans. "It was mixed feelings, I'll be totally honest," he said. "It was mixed feelings for me. To have the appreciation from the supporters and that connection and that respect is something I feel strongly about."
He added: "I didn't feel comfortable being in any way, shape or form, a separation from that. That's my group, they're my players and this is my football club, so we have to all be in it together."
On confidence, Carrick said: "Confidence is the beauty of sport. In some ways, confidence is the major factor of that belief, that self-belief, that confidence level. It kind of trumps everything else in terms of level of performance, but the beauty about the confidence, it can come back sharpish."
Carrick now needs a win to help restore belief, with the timing of that result still unknown.
