Manchester United had planned on sacking Michael Carrick this week, but failure to settle on a replacement has granted the head coach another stay of execution.
United sources confirmed on Tuesday morning that Carrick will be in charge for the away fixture at Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime. Insiders stressed that Carrick and the players will have the opportunity to turn the situation around.
United had declined to confirm whether Carrick would take charge of training on Tuesday, and the club took 40 hours after the 3-0 drubbing by Bournemouth to confirm he was safe. Carrick is not out of the woods after chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox held lengthy discussions about a possible change of coach on Monday.
Initially, the United power brokers planned for a change in the dugout for the Chelsea fixture. But failure to agree on a unanimous choice to succeed Carrick has reprieved the 45-year-old, despite United's eight-game winless run and 16th-place status in the Premier League.
A United spokesperson said they are unaware of any intention to dismiss Carrick in the wake of humiliation by Bournemouth on Sunday.
Managerial Search Complications
United chiefs are unconvinced by the available coaches they have considered to bring in. United have not even made a formal approach to Antonio Conte, out of work since leaving Napoli in the summer.
Eddie Howe has been doing due diligence on United should he receive an offer, yet departures from the United structure count against the ex-Newcastle United boss. Howe worked with former United sporting director Dan Ashworth at Newcastle and was also familiar to former United board member Sir Dave Brailsford. Ashworth left United abruptly in December 2024 and Brailsford departed six months later.
Julian Nagelsmann worked with United director of recruitment Christopher Vivell in the Red Bull group, but Wilcox outranks Vivell, who has felt marginalised at United. Neither former Germany coach Nagelsmann nor Howe were in the running for the United job when they were in posts during the second half of last season.
United's process to identify a permanent replacement for Ruben Amorim barely extended beyond considering Carrick amid a run of 12 wins from 16 games that secured Champions League qualification. Andoni Iraola was monitored as he approached the end of his contract at Bournemouth, but there was no concrete contact. Iraola joined Liverpool.
Fabian Hurzeler has all but been discounted by United to take over from Carrick due to the lofty compensation fee Brighton would receive for the German.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has admirers at United, but he is under contract at Villa Park until 2029 and would also be pricey. Emery holds the title of manager at Villa, and United have insisted on head coach status since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner in February 2024.
Wilcox likened himself to the manager last season, which infuriated head coach Ruben Amorim and contributed to his sudden sacking in January. Berrada drove the appointment of Amorim two years ago, whereas Ashworth was in favour of a British hire and recommended Howe. Wilcox's two managerial appointments as a DoF have both been British, with Russell Martin when he was at Southampton and Carrick.
