Manchester United retain Michael Carrick despite Bournemouth defeat

Manchester United have decided to keep Michael Carrick in charge following their home defeat by Bournemouth, with the manager set to lead the team against Chelsea on Saturday. BBC Sport reported that club sources confirmed the decision on Tuesday. United are 16th in the Premier League, and no timescale has been set for Carrick and his players to reverse their current form.

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The decision followed successive setbacks in Europe and domestic competition. United lost 4-1 at Como on 21 October before suffering the Bournemouth defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday. Asked after that match whether he expected to remain in charge for the visit to Chelsea, Carrick said he was continuing his work as normal rather than anticipating a particular outcome.

According to BBC Sport, the club had not reached a final decision on Carrick's future late on Sunday, and Monday also passed without an announcement. Chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox were at Carrington on Monday discussing the immediate situation. Carrick was there to watch a behind-closed-doors under-21 match, while Bruno Fernandes attended for previously arranged treatment.

Carrick returned to the training ground at 07:30 GMT on Tuesday and proceeded with training. He also joined Fernandes and other players in signing autographs and posing for photographs with invited supporters. BBC Sport reported that United sources confirmed roughly four hours after his arrival that he would take charge at Stamford Bridge, ending the immediate uncertainty over the Chelsea fixture.

The broadcaster reported that senior club figures do not regard the current difficulties as entirely Carrick's responsibility. They believe the squad is capable of qualifying for the Champions League and that the players are performing below that level. One unnamed player told BBC Sport that players and staff wanted to correct the situation. That account does not establish the position of every individual within the squad.

United's schedule remains demanding. Chelsea are followed three days later by a Champions League match against Roma, then a league meeting with Aston Villa before the international break. Carrick is due to address the media on Thursday. For now, the confirmed decision concerns his continuation in the job; the club has not announced a longer-term deadline for assessing his position.