Manchester United legend Gary Neville has admitted he is 'surprised but happy' that the club have reportedly decided to stick with Michael Carrick for Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Carrick's future was plunged into further doubt after his side suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon. It was United's eighth match without a win in all competitions and left the club stranded in 16th place in the Premier League table.
A dejected-looking Carrick was pictured walking a lap of the pitch to loud applause shortly after the final whistle, which was widely perceived to be a farewell to those fans who had stayed behind inside Old Trafford.
Carrick remains in charge
The result also intensified speculation over potential candidates to replace Carrick, with Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte, Julian Nagelsmann and Fabian Hurzeler among the high-profile names linked in recent days.
But Carrick remains at the helm 48 hours on from the loss. According to BBC Sport, the 45-year-old will be 'given the opportunity to turn things around' and fight for his position.
The former England and United central midfielder oversaw training at Carrington on Tuesday morning and is expected to be in the dugout when United head to Stamford Bridge in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.
Neville reacts to news
Asked if these reports were 'good news' for the club, Neville told Sky Sports: 'Look, I'm happy. I'm surprised but I'm happy because I was absolutely certain that what I witnessed on Sunday would be the end of Michael.'
'It looked like it when he was walking round at the end on his own with the players behind him. It was almost a goodbye lap, he was waving to the fans almost in an apologetic manner but also a goodbye.'
'So I am really surprised that ultimately Michael is still in the job but I'm happy with it because the fact of the matter is it was very difficult on Sunday. How it is going to go over the next couple of weeks, I have no idea.'
The former United and England right-back added: 'I hope he can somehow get those players to start playing for him again. They haven't played for him in the last few weeks.'
Carrick explains his gesture
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Carrick insisted his gesturing towards the Stretford End was not meant as a goodbye to United supporters.
'It wasn't a farewell from me,' the former Middlesbrough boss – a five-time Premier League winner during his playing days – explained. 'I have mixed emotions, I'm feeling it for my players, they're going through a tough spell. Some of it we can help, some of it the situation unravels and the boys are feeling it at the moment.'
'Mixed emotions for the supporters to respond in that way. To have that connection with the supporters it's mixed emotions, it'll take a bit of time to digest but I certainly appreciate their support. The situation is where we are and we haven't had results or performances that have been good enough.'
Both United and Chelsea will be desperate for a morale-boosting performance when they lock horns in west London in four days' time. Chelsea enter the encounter on the back of a 2-0 defeat by bitter rivals Tottenham at the weekend.
The Blues first do battle with Liverpool in a Carabao Cup tie at Anfield on Wednesday night, where a place in the fifth round is at stake. United have already been eliminated from the competition after Brighton came back from two goals down to win 3-2 in a third-round contest at Old Trafford.
