Michael Carrick will remain Manchester United boss for now, but the club's upcoming fixtures do not get any easier, with three top-four chasing teams and two Champions League matches in their next five games.
Following a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth last Sunday, speculation suggested Carrick would lose his job. However, after meetings on Monday, the decision was made to give the former Middlesbrough manager more time, with Carrick set to take charge of the trip to Chelsea on Saturday.
Champions League and domestic challenges
Chelsea, despite a shock 2-0 home defeat to London rivals Tottenham, have scored 25 times in 10 matches. After the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, Manchester United welcome Roma to Old Trafford in the Champions League.
Roma sit third in Serie A, unbeaten and one point above Como, the Italian side that scored four past Manchester United in their last Champions League fixture. Gian Piero Gasperini's side pushed Real Madrid in a 4-3 loss before beating Slovan Bratislava 4-0.
Villa and Liverpool await
Manchester United then host Aston Villa, who are unbeaten in seven games and recently inflicted a first Premier League loss of the season on Manchester City. The international break follows, where Carrick's future may be reviewed again if results do not improve.
After the break, Manchester United travel to Liverpool on Sunday, November 22. The Red Devils completed the league double over their rivals last season and are unbeaten at Anfield since a 7-0 defeat in 2023, a run of three games.
Sporting clash
If Carrick remains in charge, he will lead the team into a Champions League fixture at Sporting on Wednesday, November 25. Sporting have won two of their first three league stage games, despite a shock 3-2 home defeat to LASK after wins over RC Lens and Galatasaray.
Manchester United's next five games are Chelsea (A) on October 31, Roma (H) on November 3, Aston Villa (H) on November 8, Liverpool (A) on November 22, and Sporting (A) on November 25.
