Michael Carrick has been given another chance to turn Manchester United's season around after a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, with the club hierarchy reportedly unconvinced by the available replacements.
Supporters cheered the manager off the pitch after Sunday's loss at Old Trafford, while the players were jeered, in what appeared to be a final farewell. Carrick was downbeat in his post-match press conference, saying he would always "do what is best for this football club" regardless of what it meant for him. He is now expected to lead the team at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea on Saturday.
Fan reaction and lack of options keep Carrick in place
Insiders told The Sun that United's hierarchy is not fully sold on the coaches available, including Antonio Conte, Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe. A source said: "The best ones won't come."
Other sources told ESPN that the fan reaction to Carrick at the weekend was a key factor in giving him another opportunity. The report states that club chiefs noted the difference between the level of support for the manager as he left the pitch and the frustration aimed at the players.
Players back the manager
The squad has also shown unity behind Carrick, with Harry Maguire's comments after the Bournemouth match reflecting that. The defender said: "We're fully behind Michael. He come into the team last season and turned our season around and managed to finish in third position and managed to get Champions League football this season."
"As individuals, we're not playing well enough. The results haven't been good enough. The performances haven't been good enough. Individually we've got to look at ourselves and find something within ourselves to bring more to the team. That's every player."
Club captain Bruno Fernandes appears to be the exception. He was left on the bench by Carrick on Sunday despite warming up throughout the game, after criticising the tactical performance in a 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League the previous week. Social media users spotted the midfielder's official account liking a video with the caption: "Never push a loyal person to the point where they no longer care."
Fernandes had said after the Como defeat: "Everyone at the club must understand that it's no longer the same. We're no longer in the past and we must look to the future. We must create something different in the present."
"At this club, we focus too much on what was achieved in the past, but we are no longer the same. The club and the players must understand this. Unfortunately for us, especially the players, those who come think about winning trophies, matches, and reaching the highest level, but unfortunately it's been very difficult at this club in recent years. That's the situation."
With Carrick staying at the helm, it remains to be seen whether Fernandes returns to the starting XI at the weekend.
